Civic projects make headway in Mysore

After appointment of the deputy commissioner as special officer for the speedy implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects and the initiative being shown by the elected body of the Mysore City Corporation (MCC), infrastructure projects are making headway in Mysore.

One such infrastructure project is the comprehensive scheme to remodel and revitalise the city’s age-old water supply network. The Centre has released Rs 39 crore and the state government Rs 4 crore, as first installment of their share, for the Rs 195 crore action plan.

A new water supply main from the Melapura water supply works to the double tanks in the city’s sprawling Kuvempunagar extension at a cost of Rs 65.56 crore is under progress. It is to be completed by 2010. Twenty-six overhead tanks are being built at seven places.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has drawn up a plan for the city transport system to meet its demands over the next 15 years. As part of the plan, hi-tech bus stands are to be constructed at Kuvempunagar, R S Naidu Nagar, Sathagalli, Ilawala, Chamundi Hills and the city and Mofussil Bus stands. Rs 108 crore is to be sent on these modern bus stands Rs 15.97 crore are to be spent for the upgrade of the city bus-stand, Rs 23.53 crore for upgrade of the suburban bus-stand, Rs 68.25 crore for construction of inter-modal transport facility and creating passenger amenities at Kuvempunagar (Rs 18.36 crore), R S Naidu Nagar (Rs 6 crore), Sathagalli (Rs 34 crore), Ilwala (Rs 6.01 crore) and Chamundi Hills (Rs 3.88 crore). The projects under execution are to be completed in about 18 months.

Another scheme making progress is houses for slum dwellers in the city. Under the JNNURM scheme, the Karnataka Slum Development Corporation has targeted 2,788 houses at 20 chosen places at a cost of Rs 60 crore.

Construction of 366 houses at Hunchya-Sathagalli for Rs 60 crore is under progress.

Mysore mayor Ayub Khan and some councillors inspected the projects being implemented, accompanied by concerned officials on December 31. They were happy of the progress being made.

Apart from these three projects, the MCC has initiated action in respect of a few other JNNURM projects, cleared by the Centre, like the Rs 30 crore solid waste management, Rs 347.28 crore storm water drainage scheme and Rs 150 crore Kabini drinking water supply project. These projects have to be completed within 18 months.

The development of the Kukkarahalli, Hinakal, Devanuru, Lingambudhi, Bogadi, Dalvoy, Hebbal and Kyatmaranahalli lakes at a cost of Rs 13.09 crore for rain water to flow into them are covered under the reconstruction and remodelling of storm water drainage project.