Mysuru: The greenfield access-controlled Mysuru–Kushalnagar highway, initially set for completion before 2026, is now expected to be ready by March 2027 due to delays in forest clearance and revised project costs.
Originally budgeted at ₹3,883 crore, the project’s cost has now increased to ₹4,128 crore, causing a three-month delay, as per recent updates.
Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar confirmed that Package 1 of the highway—from Kushalnagar to Madikeri—has been dropped following environmental concerns raised by residents and green activists.
Despite challenges, efforts are ongoing to complete the 92-kilometre corridor, which links Paschima Vahini in Srirangapatna with Kushalnagar, and passes through the Mysuru and Mandya Lok Sabha constituencies. The highway is being constructed in five phases.
Responding to a question in Parliament by Bengaluru MP Tejasvi Surya, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari stated that the majority of the forest land required is social forestry land, and authorities are working to expedite clearance.
The highway project was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2023. MP Yaduveer recently met Gadkari to push for timely resolution of clearance issues to avoid further delays.
Once completed, the road is expected to significantly reduce travel time between Mysuru and Kodagu, boosting tourism and connectivity.