While it was a year of missed deadlines and non-completion of major projects announced by the government, there was little to show by way of new major investments for Mysuru on the industrial front.
Though touted as the next best investment destination in the State after Bengaluru, 2014 did not see major investments here. The constitution of the Industrial Township Authority to provide a focussed development of industrial areas in the city is yet to materialise. A long-pending demand, it was announced in the new industrial policy, but the government is yet to give its concurrence to kick-start the legal process.
On the infrastructure front, Chief Minister Siddarmaiah had announced Rs. 100 crore in the Budget 2014–15 but there is nothing concrete to show for the year just gone by.
The special grant also had a component to take up the restoration of heritage structures, including the Lansdowne Building, but the work is yet to start.
The special grant was expected to enhance the glory of the heritage structures in the core area and this included the Devaraja market, Town Hall and Clock Tower. But let alone completion, there are no signs of any plan being approved.
The much-touted Rajamarga project — though nearing completion — has not made any impact in embellishing the ambience around the palace, which was one of the original objectives of the project. Besides, there are questions over its quality.
The Kaveri Tourism Authority was also announced in the budget for shoring up tourism in the Mysuru-Mandya-Chamarajanagar region, but neither has the authority been constituted nor has the government spelled out its specific terms of reference.
On the connectivity front, the track-doubling work between Mysuru and Bengaluru, which was slated for completion by December 2014, has a revised deadline of March 31, 2015 though it hinges on shifting of the Tipu’s armoury at Srirangapatana, besides the completion of the two large bridges over the Cauvery. However, new train services providing connectivity to Varanasi and other cities were added.
The city lost its air connectivity during the year when SpiceJet withdrew its services citing operational reasons. As a result, the Rs. 82 crore infrastructure created by the Airport Authority of India is utilised only by a few chartered flights.
On the solid waste management front, the authorities are yet to shore up capacity to handle the waste generated in the city. Foundation stones have been laid for the Maharani’s College Annex, which will cater to the student community, while the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan, Valmiki Bhavan and Babu Jagjeevan Ram Bhavan are nearing completion. But no civic work took shape during the year.
