Rain soured B’lore-Mysore highway dream: Revanna

Rain soured B’lore-Mysore highway dream: Revanna
Deccan Herald

Public Works Minister H D Revanna on Wednesday admitted that work on the four-laning of Bangalore-Mysore State Highway has been affected due to incessant rains during the last one month and the work could not be completed as planned.

He told a press conference that according to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) the four-laning from Jnanabharathi Circle to Maddur (11.60 km to 82.50 km) should have been completed by April 2006 and Maddur to Mysore (82.50 km to 135.35 km) by May 2006.

However, he said, in view of the Dasara in Mysore, efforts were made to complete these two packages and allow four-way traffic on this road before September 30, but incessant rain hampered the progress.

Kengeri stretch

If there is a let up in rain for a few days, the left stretch of the highway at Kengeri, would be completed and opened to traffic, he added.

Proposal to Centre

The State government will soon send a Rs 516 crore proposal to the Centre for the repair and upgradation of 38 roads in and around Bangalore City, PWD Minister H D Revanna said in Bangalore on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters, he said a copy of the proposal will be sent both to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the Planning Commission.

He said the Karnataka Road Development Corporation is preparing a detailed project report for the upgradation of 2,000 km of the highways in the State.

Bridges damaged

Mr Revanna added that during the past 14 months, his ministry has spent nearly Rs 225 crore from the Central Road Fund compared to the same amount been spent over the previous five years by earlier governments.

He said the recent floods and heavy monsoons had caused damage to 7,476 bridges and culverts in the State and an additional sum of Rs 59 crore is required for its repairs.

The deputy commissioners have been asked to release money from their flood relief funds for the repair of bridges, he added.