Mysuru: The Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) has taken up fresh asphalting of Sayyaji Rao Road ahead of the 2026 Dasara festival, with the stretch between K.R. Circle and Agrahara being developed at a cost of Rs 13 crore. The work is aimed at improving one of the city’s key roads ahead of the arrival of tourists and dignitaries for the annual festivities.
The road development work includes fresh asphalt as well as repairs and improvements to footpaths along the route. Existing road dividers have been completely removed to facilitate the work, while the MCC has also installed a project information board displaying details such as the estimated cost and timeline.
The ongoing work is part of a wider civic improvement drive being undertaken across Mysuru in preparation for Dasara. The festival is expected to bring increased traffic and visitor movement to the city, placing additional importance on the condition of major roads and pedestrian infrastructure.
Asphalting work begins on key stretch
The current asphalting work is being carried out on the stretch between the Srimanmaharaja Samskrita Graduation and Post Graduation Centre, commonly known as Pathashala Circle, and K.R. Circle. The road forms an important link through the central part of Mysuru and experiences considerable traffic.
According to the report, the existing dividers on the stretch have been removed to allow the new road surface to be laid. The work is being undertaken as the city prepares for the Dasara festival and the expected movement of visitors through important routes.
The MCC has also included footpath repair and development in the project. This is significant for the central business district, where pedestrian movement increases during the Dasara season because of shopping, tourism and public events.
The project is therefore not limited to the carriageway. Improvements to pedestrian facilities are also being undertaken along with the road work.
White-topping plan suspended on this stretch
The road was initially considered for white-topping as part of planned road development works. However, the white-topping proposal has been suspended on this particular stretch to avoid delays during the Dasara festival period.
Instead, the MCC has proceeded with asphalt work so that the road can be made ready within the available timeframe. The decision comes as civic authorities work towards completing several Dasara-related infrastructure projects before the festival attracts large numbers of visitors.
The change in the method of road development allows the corporation to undertake the immediate surface improvement without waiting for a longer construction process associated with white-topping.
With Dasara approaching, the condition of roads connecting important areas of the city remains a key part of the civic preparations. Sayyaji Rao Road is among the prominent stretches receiving attention as part of these preparations.
MCC Commissioner checks asphalt quality
MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha and a team of officials inspected the ongoing work on September 22. During the inspection, officials checked the quality and thickness of the newly laid asphalt.
Specialised thickness and quality measurement scales were used to determine whether the asphalt was being laid according to prescribed road engineering standards. The inspection was intended to ensure that the work meets the required specifications rather than merely completing the surface work ahead of the festival.
Quality control is particularly important for roads expected to handle increased traffic during Dasara. The central routes of Mysuru experience a substantial rise in vehicle movement during the festival as visitors travel between the Palace, major tourist attractions, shopping areas and event venues.
The MCC’s inspection of the ongoing work is therefore part of the corporation’s efforts to monitor execution while the road development is under way.
Road and footpath works linked to Dasara preparations
The Sayyaji Rao Road project is one of several civic works being undertaken across Mysuru ahead of Dasara. Earlier this month, the MCC announced a programme involving 17 civic works focused on road safety, damaged roads, footpaths, drainage and beautification.
These works include attention to footpaths along Sayyaji Rao Road, Ashoka Road, Irwin Road and Dhanvantri Road. The corporation has also planned repairs to damaged pavements and walkways around the Mysuru Palace, along with repainting of kerbs and road dividers and improvements to road-safety markings.
The civic works are being undertaken with a focus on key Dasara routes and locations that are expected to see increased public movement.
Sayyaji Rao Road has particular importance because it connects several prominent areas in the city and forms part of routes used during the Dasara period. The road also features in the training route followed by the Dasara elephant team as the elephants travel between Mysuru Palace and the Torchlight Parade Grounds at Bannimantap.
Focus on central Mysuru before tourist rush
The road improvements come at a time when the MCC is accelerating preparations for the annual festival. Apart from road works, civic authorities have also started restoring public infrastructure in the Central Business District.
A pedestrian subway on Sayyaji Rao Road, which had remained closed because of waterlogging and maintenance problems, is currently being restored. The work includes cleaning, lighting, painting and installation of CCTV cameras, with authorities aiming to complete the work before the Dasara rush.
Such projects are intended to improve both the appearance and usability of important public spaces before visitors begin arriving in larger numbers.
The annual Dasara celebrations traditionally bring significant visitor movement to Mysuru, particularly around the Palace, central business district and major procession routes. Maintaining roads and pedestrian infrastructure is therefore an important part of the city’s preparations.
Dasara deadline puts focus on timely completion
The MCC’s decision to proceed with asphalt rather than white-topping on the Sayyaji Rao Road stretch reflects the immediate need to complete the work before the festival. The corporation is simultaneously monitoring the quality of the work to ensure that the road meets engineering requirements.
The Rs 13 crore project covering the stretch from K.R. Circle to Agrahara represents one of the major road-related works being taken up in the city for Dasara preparations. The associated footpath improvements are also expected to benefit pedestrians using the busy central route.
As the festival approaches, the focus will remain on completing the works within the planned timeframe while maintaining construction quality. The road will be among the key stretches expected to handle increased traffic during the Dasara season.
Conclusion
The MCC has begun Rs 13 crore asphalting work on Sayyaji Rao Road from K.R. Circle to Agrahara ahead of Mysuru Dasara 2026. The project includes fresh road surfacing, removal of existing dividers and footpath improvements.
MCC Commissioner M.K. Savitha has inspected the work, with officials checking asphalt thickness and quality against prescribed engineering standards. With several civic projects under way across Mysuru, the corporation is working to improve key roads and public infrastructure before the city’s Dasara visitor rush.