Hours before the Election Commission of India announced the schedule for State assembly elections, Mysore got two programmes in a hurry. One has been completed, the other is yet to take off.
Medical education and district in-charge minister S A Ramdas dedicated Muktidhama, a hitech crematorium built by Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) at Vijayanagar fourth stage to Mysore. Later, he laid foundation stone for Auto Nagar.
Auto Nagar intends to benefit those involved in automobile sector and has been planned on an area of 20 acres at Mandakalli on Mysore-Nanjangud road.
The Minister told the media that the project was long pending. BJP MP H N Ananth Kumar, the then urban development minister in the BJP led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre, had given consent for the project.
However, due to changed political scenario, Andhra Pradesh was benefitted with the same project. The project for Mysore became a reality only after the BJP led government came into existence in Karnataka, said Ramdas.
The Minister clarified that no government in the future, could stop the project from materialising.
Additional deputy commissioner Naga Nayak said that Mysore is home to around three lakh vehicles. Apart from the automobile industry, Auto Nagar will also comprise fuel stations and fire stations.
An ambulance system to ferry vehicles in repair; sales of spare parts to garages of light, medium and heavy vehicles, wheel alignment centres; workshops and seat makers, are among the other facilities to be made available in Auto Nagar.
Minister faces tough moments
Unlike previous occasions, Minister S A Ramdas had to taste the wrath of local leaders who gheraoed him at the foundation laying ceremony for Auto Nagar and the opening of hi-tech crematorium at Vijayanagar fourth stage.
Congress workers were angry for violating the protocol by not inviting Chamundeshwari MLA M Satyanarayana, the local legislator. Former president of taluk panchayat Manjula Manjunath and ZP member Patel Jawaregowda exchanged words with the Minister over the issue at Mandakalli. They also tried to restrain the Minister from reaching the stage.
Similarly, at Muktidhama, members of Koorgalli gram panchayat created a din. In an attempt to placate them, L Nagendra chairman of MUDA spoke with MLA M Sathyanarayana over phone, which had little effect on the protesting members.