Mysuru, July 4 -- The Mysuru Development Authority (MDA), formed after the dissolution of MUDA, is being described by many as 'old wine in a new bottle.' They argue that, apart from a name change, there has been little visible reform.

Mysuru's urban planning history dates back to 1903, when Rajarshi Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar established the City Improvement Trust Board (CITB), regarded as Asia's first statutory body for planned urban development.

In 1988, CITB was renamed Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). Following MUDA controversy, the State Government renamed it as the Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) on May 16, 2025.

However, many believe the change has been largely cosmetic. They point out that while the Wadiyar era wa...