Mysore civic body builds hopes on JNNURM

Being a beneficiary of the Rs 50,000 crore Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), covering 63 cities across the country, the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) is going ahead with developing the heritage city as a futuristic city with modern infrastructure.

The MCC has taken care in developing Mysore on modern lines under the JNNURM. It expects a financial support of Rs 1,830 crore over 7 years for developing infrastructure like roads, transport, water supply, underground and storm water drainage.

"Considering that Mysore has been chosen for its historical character, the MCC and other departments are drawing up plans to renovate the historical structures, develop parks and make the city a no-slum city, apart from upgrading and improving the infrastructure," MCC commissioner KN Chandrashekar told Business Standard.

Projects to the tune of Rs 240 crore have already been approved. By December-end a detailed project report will be sent up for Rs 1,300 crore. Once the Centre approves the projects, they will be executed.

Mysore, with a current population of eight lakh, will be developed as a future city keeping in mind its growth in IT & BT sectors. While the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board has taken up development of new industrial area, the airport, work on which is on, will give a boost to the city's growth, he said.

Elaborating on the schemes the MCC is taking up, Chandrashekar said the water supply distribution system would be modernised to ensure 24/7 water supply at 135 litres per capita.

The Centre is ready to extend any amount for the purpose. In addition, the entire underground drainage system will be remodelled, both projects costing around Rs 150 crore.

The MCC has a remote sensing contour map for improving the storm water drainage system of Mysore.

About 47 km of roads will be developed in the city. Besides an inner ring road, plans are on for providing the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), connecting east-west, north-south corridors, like between KRS-Nanjangud Road, Hunsur-Bannur Road, Bandipalya-Bangalore Ring Road.

A Rs 12-crore abattoir in Kesare, on the northern part of Mysore, solid waste management, introducing auto-tippers and containers, and one more Excel plant are also proposed. Rs 140 crore has been earmarked for developing 60 slums, he said.

Chandrashekar added, "These and other schemes will make Mysore one of the best equipped tier II cities with a futuristic growth."