Mysuru: Former minister and MLA Tanveer Sait on Saturday launched white-topping work on a 2.2-km stretch between Manipal Hospital Circle and Millennium Circle, as part of efforts to improve road infrastructure in the city ahead of the Dasara festival.
Speaking after inaugurating the project, Sait said the State government had sanctioned funds through the Public Works Department (PWD) to undertake white-topping works on 12 major roads in Mysuru, taking into account the city’s growing vehicular traffic.
The road improvement programme is expected to strengthen key routes, reduce maintenance requirements and improve traffic movement during the upcoming festival season.
Road work to be completed before Dasara
Sait said the foundation stone for the road development project had been laid earlier when Siddaramaiah was Chief Minister.
Following the preparation of the required technical report, roads where the works can be completed before Dasara are now being taken up on priority.
He said three roads in the N.R. constituency are being developed under the programme.
The 2.2-km stretch from Manipal Hospital Circle to Millennium Circle is expected to be completed before Dasara and opened to traffic, Sait said.
The timing of the project is significant as Mysuru is preparing for its annual Dasara celebrations, which attract visitors from across Karnataka and other parts of the country.
Rs 121 crore earmarked for white-topping
A total of Rs 121 crore has been earmarked for the white-topping works, while projects worth Rs 67 crore are being taken up initially.
Sait said white-topping would improve the durability of roads and reduce the frequency and cost of maintenance.
The concrete-based road treatment is also expected to provide a more durable surface capable of handling heavy vehicular movement.
According to the project plan, 12 major roads experiencing heavy traffic have been identified for long-term development.
White-topping has been proposed for a total length of 46.088 km, with an estimated cost of Rs 393.85 crore. The works have been entrusted to the PWD.
Infrastructure upgrades planned along roads
The project involves more than simply laying a concrete surface on the existing carriageways.
As part of the development, paver blocks will be installed along the sides of the roads to create buffer zones.
These areas are intended to facilitate future laying and maintenance of underground infrastructure, including drainage, water supply and electricity cables.
The project also includes the development of footpaths to improve pedestrian movement along the upgraded stretches.
RCC drains and culverts will be constructed to facilitate the smooth discharge of rainwater, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.
These drainage improvements are expected to reduce water accumulation on roads and contribute to the long-term condition of the newly developed stretches.
Electrical and utility works included
The project also provides for the installation of traditional electric lights on road medians.
Where necessary, existing water supply and underground drainage pipelines will be shifted as part of the road development.
Officials are expected to coordinate the various utility works to minimise the need for repeated road cutting after the white-topping is completed.
The provision for utility corridors through roadside buffer areas is aimed at ensuring that future underground infrastructure works can be carried out with less disruption to the newly improved road surface.
Dasara traffic puts focus on road infrastructure
Mysuru is a major cultural, heritage and tourism destination and witnesses a substantial increase in visitors during the Dasara celebrations.
With lakhs of tourists expected to arrive in the city for the festival, traffic volumes are likely to rise considerably.
Sait said the road development works were being undertaken with the expected increase in traffic in mind.
Improved road surfaces, better drainage, footpaths and organised roadside spaces are expected to support smoother movement of vehicles and pedestrians during the festival.
The white-topping programme is also intended to provide longer-lasting road infrastructure rather than relying on frequent repairs of heavily used stretches.
The Manipal Hospital Circle-Millennium Circle stretch is among the roads being prioritised for completion before Dasara.
Long-term road development planned
The larger programme covers 12 major roads across Mysuru that have been identified based on their heavy vehicular traffic.
The proposed 46.088-km white-topping project represents a broader effort to strengthen the city’s road network and address the demands created by increasing traffic.
While the immediate focus is on completing selected stretches before Dasara, the overall programme is intended as a long-term infrastructure initiative.
The combination of durable road surfaces, improved drainage, pedestrian facilities, utility planning and better lighting is expected to improve the functionality of the selected roads.
The project could also help reduce recurring maintenance requirements on roads that experience high traffic volumes.
With Dasara approaching, the completion of the Manipal Hospital Circle to Millennium Circle stretch before the festival is expected to provide an improved route for residents and visitors.
The wider white-topping programme, once completed, is expected to contribute to the long-term improvement of Mysuru’s road infrastructure and help the city manage increasing traffic demands.