Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged officials in the Mysuru district administration to develop a comprehensive and scientifically-backed blueprint for the expansion of ‘Greater Mysuru’. His directive emphasizes that this growth must be carefully managed to uphold the city’s esteemed ‘prestige and culture’.
During the inaugural ‘Greater Mysuru’ meeting, held at the Mysuru City Corporation’s (MCC) Zonal 3 office, CM Siddaramaiah explicitly stated that the new plan must prevent the urban challenges currently plaguing Bengaluru, such as severe traffic congestion, inadequate underground drainage systems, obstructed footpaths, water supply issues, and inefficient sewage treatment plants (STPs).
This crucial meeting follows extensive public and political discourse surrounding the long-standing demand for a ‘Greater Mysuru City Corporation,’ or ‘Bruhat Mysuru Mahanagara Palike.’ This initiative would involve integrating various urban local bodies, including City Municipal Councils and Town Panchayats, from Mysuru’s surrounding areas.
While expressing strong support for the ‘Greater Mysuru’ concept, Mr. Siddaramaiah set a crucial condition: the city’s inherent dignity, rich culture, and expansive character must remain intact throughout this transformative process.
“Mysuru is renowned for its broad roads,” he remarked. “The vision for Greater Mysuru should ensure an even more meticulous and systematic design.”
He further directed officials to adopt a forward-looking approach to infrastructure planning, factoring in the city’s projected population growth over the next 15 to 20 years, rather than solely focusing on current figures.
The Chief Minister insisted that “Greater Mysuru must be meticulously planned and equipped. Traffic congestion, under no circumstances, should become an issue.” He also stressed the importance of integrating modern technology into all planning aspects, from job creation strategies to advanced solid waste management solutions.
This includes the sophisticated deployment of technology for the eco-friendly disposal of all waste, particularly industrial byproducts.
Developing New Layouts
Regarding the creation of new residential and commercial layouts, Mr. Siddaramaiah mandated thorough planning for essential services, including drainage, roads, underground sewage systems, water and electricity supply, and public parks.
He also highlighted the critical need for a peripheral ring road around Mysuru and instructed officials to commence planning for this vital infrastructure project without delay.
Boosting Revenue
Underscoring the importance of enhanced revenue generation, the Chief Minister tasked officials with developing clear estimates and actionable plans to achieve this goal.
He also noted that the workforce of civic workers must be expanded proportionally to accommodate the city’s anticipated population increase.
The meeting saw the attendance of several key figures, including Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh, Mysuru District In-charge Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, MLAs G.T. Deve Gowda, Tanveer Sait, and Harish Gowda, along with MLCs Yathindra, A.H. Vishwanath, Thimmaiah, C.N. Manje Gowda, and K. Shivakumar.