The Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has drawn Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s attention to infrastructure and connectivity imperatives for the growth and development of the city
The chamber has accorded high priority to the timely completion of the track-doubling work between Mysore and Bangalore, which has seen little progress so far. Stakeholders believe that a reduction in running time between the two cities augurs well for the development of Mysore.
Experts have pointed out that the completion of the project could alter the landscape of Mysore and give a boost to the ‘industrial corridor’ between Bangalore and Mysore.
MCCI president Sudhakar Shetty and other office-bearers, who met the Chief Minister during his visit here on Monday, argued in favour of daily flight services from and to Mysore, as opposed to the existing single flight that serves the city on alternate days.
“Daily flight service is imperative to draw investors. Air connectivity can also boost tourism in the district; Mysore already draws nearly 35 lakh tourists every year,” said Mr. Shetty. Mr. Siddarmaaiah should also prioritise the expansion of the Mysore–Nanjangud highway, which has a very high traffic density and claims dozens of lives every year.
In addition, widening the highway would also benefit the industries in Nanjangud, which is heavily dependant on road transportation. On the Bangalore–Mysore NICE corridor, MCCI said timely completion could reduce the commuting time between the two cities to 90 minutes and change the economic profile of the city.
On specific issues pertaining to the city, MCCI said the drinking water problem had to be resolved at the earliest to cater to the future requirements of the city.
Closely allied to industrial growth is availability of power, and nearly 26,000 industrial units in the district are short-strapped for electricity. Existing industries are unable to work to their full potential, and trade and commerce have been significantly affected due to inadequate power.
Drawing attention to the rapid urbanisation of Mysore and subsequent problems such as increase in traffic density, MCCI highlighted the need for multi-storeyed parking facilities, and urged the Chief Minister to take action.
As a special incentive to promote tourism, MCCI appealed to the government to remove the vehicle entry tax so that vehicles from Tamil Nadu and Kerala could freely enter Karnataka. The entry tax is discouraging tourists and affecting the growth of the tourism sector, the chamber said.
Completion of the Mysore Outer Ring Road, the establishment of the industrial township authority to provide amenities in industrial areas and the declaration of Mysore as a heritage city, to take up conservation work on heritage buildings, were the other issues MCCI brought to the Chief Minister’s attention.
