Ahead of Dasara, Mysuru city roads get a new look

Roads, footpaths and medians across the city are getting a new look for Dasara season.

K H Jagadeesha, Commissioner of Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), said a proposal for Rs 27 crore has been sent to the state government for filling of potholes, for repairing badly damaged stretches of roads, for laying of fresh layers of asphalt on main thoroughfares, and for maintenance of footpaths and medians. “This year, flowering plants are being grown on the medians to give a greener look to the city,” he said.

“In some circles, vehicle users are inconvenienced when it rains, as rainwater stagnates. So, while asphalting the roads and circles, care is being taken to facilitate free flow of water into stormwater drains,” the commissioner added.

Jagadeesha said all works taken up now are actually routine maintenance chores for the MCC, but Dasara is an excuse for executing them across the city, on a large scale, at a time. “As we have a deadline, the works are done on a war-footing, within a set time frame. As the MCC gets additional funds from the government, the quality of works will also be better. All road works would be completed by the end of September, well in advance of the launch of the Dasara festivities, on October 10. The painting of kerb stones of footpaths and medians will be taken up in the end, so that they look fresh during the festival. Besides, old name boards of roads and circles would get a fresh coat of paint, while new name boards will be put up wherever necessary,” he said.

In view of the heavy inflow of tourists during the Dasara season, additional civic workers would be hired on a contract basis to maintain cleanliness across the city. However, the MCC appeals to both residents and tourists for support in maintaining the cleanliness of the city, to retain its ‘clean city’ tag.