As Dasara festivities approach, tourists visiting Mysuru have an extra reason to look forward to their trip. A new initiative, ‘Tourist Mitras,’ aims to ensure visitors have a smooth and enjoyable experience, offering friendly guidance and assistance at some of the city’s most popular tourist attractions.
Launched by Karnataka’s Department of Tourism and the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) in collaboration with the Home Department, the ‘Tourist Mitras’ are a specialized tourist-friendly Police force. They are drawn from the Home Guards Force and have undergone special training by the KSTDC and the Home Department to provide both security and local guidance to visitors.
These ‘Tourist Mitras’ are stationed at various popular destinations across Karnataka, including Mysuru. In Mysuru itself, 14 Mitras have been deployed: three at the iconic Mysore Palace, five at Chamundi Hill, four at the Srikanteshwara Swamy Temple in Nanjangud, and two at Chunchanakatte Waterfalls in K.R. Nagar. Easily recognizable by their bright blue jackets and caps adorned with the ‘Tourist Mitra’ and Karnataka logos, these friendly guides are ready to assist tourists with information, directions, and help in case of any issues.
Kodagu district has also seen the deployment of nine Tourist Mitras, stationed at key sites such as Abbey Falls, Mallalli Falls, Raja’s Seat in Madikeri, and the Dubare and Harangi Elephant Camps. These locations are among the top tourist attractions in the district, and the presence of Tourist Mitras aims to improve safety and the overall experience for visitors.
Officials from the Department of Tourism emphasized that the primary goal of the Tourist Mitras is to ensure the safety of all visitors, particularly women and children. They are tasked with preventing illegal activities, maintaining cleanliness, and enforcing law and order. Their role also includes monitoring unauthorized access to restricted areas and mediating potential clashes between local tour operators and tourists.
In addition to their security responsibilities, these Mitras have been trained in the history, geography, and significance of the tourist sites they oversee. This dual role allows them to act as both a first line of security and an informative resource for visitors. Although they do not possess full Police powers, the Tourist Mitras can detain offenders and hand them over to the Police for further action.
The ‘Tourist Mitras’ initiative was first introduced in 2015 with 175 personnel across the State. Today, the force has grown to include over 1,000 personnel, all dedicated to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of Karnataka’s growing number of tourists. Working from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the Mitras are compensated with a daily wage of Rs. 600 for their efforts in crowd control and area management.
