The Mysore City Corporation (MCC) has invited tenders for roadworks, which were supposed to be completed during Dasara 2013.
The MCC got an annual grant of Rs. 19 crore from the State government for road repair and beautification of the city last year. However, the corporation indefinitely put off repairing of damaged roads after asphalting and filling potholes on some stretches in the city centre, especially those around Mysore Palace and nearby places. Some beautification works too were done spending Rs 5.2 crore. The local body decided to complete the works now because several roads in the city are in a bad shape due to the incessant rain last year.
MCC commissioner P.G. Ramesh told The Hindu that the Dasara grant would be used to take up the works. Tenders had been invited for works amounting to Rs. 14 crore, which would cover major parts of the city. May be, the MCC was not prepared to take up full-fledged road works during Dasara. Also, it did not get the funds in time and could not proceed further because of the wet condition. Therefore, only major roads with a high density of tourist vehicles were repaired and blacktopped.
AnnouncementThe MCC had earlier announced that potholes would be filled and pavements would get a fresh coat of paint on roads around major circles such as K.R. Circle, Statue Circle, and Hardinge Circle. However, road works around important tourist sites other than around Mysore Palace could not be undetaken.
Because of the incessant rain last year, the asphalt on most roads has washed away. The incomplete drainage work and the dumping of debris on the roadside have hampered free movement of vehicles.
The authorities take up roadworks at the last-minute or during the Dasara festivities itself. They spend crores of rupees without focusing on the quality which can be avoided with better planning.
