Yet another deadline set for completion of ‘Raja Marga’ project

The project is to be completed by Dasara 2014

After missing several “deadlines” to complete the work to give a facelift to the ‘Raja Marga’ (the prime roads around the Mysore palace), yet another “deadline” had been of Dasara 2014.

Though the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) authorities are uncertain of seeing the project through before Dasara, they are claiming to be making efforts to prevail upon contractors to get the work, especially of putting up sculpted stone pillars along pavements from K.R. Circle to the Government Ayurveda College Circle, restarted from this month.

Incidentally, the ‘Raja Marga’ has reportedly “missed” three Dasara deadlines in the past, though construction of drains and installing sculpted stone pillars on the stretch between Hardinge Circle and Chamarajendra Wadiyar Circle have been completed. The roadsides towards K.R. Circle had been dug up for drainage work, which were moving ahead at snail’s pace.

Another portion from Hardinge Circle towards Gun House is almost complete, barring work in some stretches. The pillars had been put up on one side of the road from the CADA Office to K.R. Circle.

The ‘Raja Marga’ project was launched during the tenure of the BJP government to beautify the areas around the palace.

The major portion of work from K.R. Circle to the Government Ayurveda College Circle through the busy Sayyaji Rao Road, a commercial hub, is yet to commence. The footpaths have to be dug up for the drainage work besides putting up the pillars.

The MCC has come under criticism over the delay in the project, which some here described as an “ill-thought-out” project.

When contacted, MCC Commissioner P.G. Ramesh told The Hindu that the contractors had been asked to resume the remaining works immediately and complete them before Dasara.

“I admit the work has been delayed, but we are trying to end the project without any further delay,” he claimed.

When asked whether the work was achievable by Dasara despite stone pillars not being ready, the commissioner said: “We are hoping so.”

Even work on constructing a multi-level parking lot behind the Town Hall has come to a halt. It has been more than a year now since the work stopped.

Asked whether the non-clearance of pending bills to contractors was the reason for halting the works, Mr. Ramesh replied in the negative without giving a clear answer for the delay. However, he said all works launched by the MCC will recommence soon.