Mysuru: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Mysuru on Thursday, November 12, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the city on Friday. She is scheduled to attend the inauguration of the Cosmology Education and Research Training Centre (COSMOS) – Mysuru Planetarium and participate in programmes connected with the city’s development initiatives.
Sitharaman was received by Mysuru-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and checked into the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel on M.G. Road.
According to her official tour programme, the Union Minister is also scheduled to visit the Sri Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple at Melukote in Mandya district.
Sitharaman reviews preparations for planetarium inauguration
During her visit, Sitharaman reviewed preparations at the COSMOS planetarium, which is located at the foothills of Chamundi Hill on the University of Mysore campus.
The facility, established by the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), is India’s first LED dome planetarium. It is designed to provide an immersive astronomy experience through a 15-metre tilted dome featuring approximately 6,150 panels and 4.2 crore individual LEDs.
The planetarium will include a sky theatre, exhibition halls, an astronomy museum, a lecture hall and training facilities. Its programmes are expected to support astronomy education and research, while also attracting students and visitors.
Sitharaman had contributed ₹5 crore from her Members of Parliament Local Area Development (MPLAD) funds towards the project.
PM Modi to inaugurate COSMOS and Bharat Vana
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to arrive in Mysuru on Friday afternoon as part of his Karnataka visit. At around 3.30 pm, he will participate in a tree-plantation programme at Bharat Vana, followed by the inauguration of COSMOS-Mysuru Planetarium at around 4 pm.
Bharat Vana is an urban afforestation project developed using the Japanese Miyawaki technique. Spread across 17.63 acres, the initiative aims to establish a dense urban forest with more than two lakh native trees.
The project is intended to improve the city’s green cover, support biodiversity, enhance groundwater recharge and help reduce dust and air pollution.
Security arrangements intensified across Mysuru
Security arrangements have been strengthened across the city ahead of the Prime Minister’s visit. The Special Protection Group (SPG) has carried out inspections and security rehearsals at the scheduled venues.
Barricades have been installed along important roads, while access to certain locations has been restricted as part of the security arrangements. Police and civic officials have also inspected the venues and the Prime Minister’s proposed route.
Traffic diversions and alternative routes have been introduced to facilitate the movement of the Prime Minister and other dignitaries.
Sitharaman’s arrival and review of the preparations mark the final stage of arrangements for the high-profile programmes scheduled in Mysuru on Friday.