Infra projects in Mysore on fast track

From tardy progress to high gear, the wheels of the projects under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) have started rolling with the appointment of a special officer to speed up utilisation of funds allocated under the programme for Mysore.

Eight projects will be sent to the Centre for approval and release of money, JNNURM special officer P Manivannan, who is also district commissioner, said.

The eight projects comprise the balance of underground drainage facility (Rs 250 crore), two water supply-related schemes to extend the Melapura project capacity to 50 mld in its third stage (Rs 29.50 crore), strengthening the Hongalli 2nd and 3rd stages (Rs 47.5 crore), construction of intermediate ring road (Rs 20 crore), converting the outer ring road into a four-way track on the western section (Rs 19 crore), protection of heritage buildings and improvement of circles (Rs 20 crore), development of parks and gardens (Rs 19 crore) and development of Mysore Zoo.

Giving details of the progress so far on projects sent and financial approvals received, Manivannan said the Centre had given the green signal to seven projects amounting to Rs 744.31 crore. Ten more projects worth Rs 610 crore have been sent for clearance. With these eight, the number of projects submitted to the Centre for approval will be 25.

He said the Centre had not rejected any schemes, but suggested modifications. Hence, the schemes are pending on technical grounds. Accordingly, project details for a heritage park near the Lalitha Mahal Palace, 9 km ring road and stormwater drainage would be sent after modifications were made to the plans.

A separate JNNURM project office will be set up at the MCC premises. Periodic reviews on the progress of projects will be conducted every Wednesday, Manivannan added.