Mysuru’s second Gandhi Bhavan remains locked and unused despite its inauguration, leaving a public cultural facility near the new district collectorate without regular activities or maintenance, according to a report by Prajavani – Mysuru.
The building has been constructed near the electronic voting machine storage centre on the Bannur Main Road in Siddharthanagar. It was intended to host programmes by organisations, promote Gandhian ideas and provide space for public meetings, training and cultural activities. However, the premises have not been opened for use after the inauguration.
The facility stands on one acre of land and includes a 100-by-100-foot building. Its planned amenities include a library, reading room, multipurpose hall, training centre, a gallery showing different stages of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, a 100-seat auditorium, office space and interior installations. The building also has a ramp for persons with disabilities, toilets at the rear and a Gandhi statue within the compound.
The report said the unused premises have not received regular upkeep. Vegetation has grown around the building and the gate remains locked. The situation has caused dissatisfaction among Gandhi followers and local organisers who expected the facility to support year-round programmes, meetings, ceremonies and training activities.
Vinod Chandra, deputy director of the Department of Information and Public Relations, told Prajavani – Mysuru that the building had been handed over to the district administration. He said the department lacked the resources and staff required for maintenance and that the handover was carried out in accordance with government directions.
The project is part of a wider scheme announced in the 2016-17 budget during Siddaramaiah’s first term as chief minister. The plan proposed constructing Gandhi Bhavans in every district headquarters through the Information Department, with an allocation of ₹3 crore for each facility, to promote Gandhi’s philosophy.
Construction of the Mysuru building began in August 2024. Its inauguration later took place during a development programme at Maharaja College grounds after Siddaramaiah returned as chief minister. Officials had indicated that the building would be opened for public activities, including training programmes, meetings and events.
Mysuru already has another Gandhi Bhavan on the University of Mysore’s Manasagangothri campus. That facility was established through the university’s Gandhi Study Centre and displays photographs and artworks related to Gandhi. The newer building was planned by the Department of Information and Public Relations to provide a similar public-facing space in another part of the city.
Local organiser T. Satish Javaregowda called for the building to be opened, equipped with the necessary facilities and made available to organisations for their programmes. The immediate administrative issue remains the allocation of staff, maintenance responsibility and a functioning schedule for a facility that was built and inaugurated for public use.