MYSORE, October 12: Even though authorities promised to repair roads in the city ahead of the recently-concluded Dasara festival, motorists in Mysore continue to endure bumpy rides. Several arterial roads in the city as well as thoroughfares in commercial and residential areas are in a deplorable condition. The rains lashing the city over the last few days have added to the woes of the citizens, who have to negotiate slush pools on the pothole-ridden roads.
In many places, roads were damaged after they were dug up for laying telecommunication cables, water pipelines and other utilities.
Residents have identified K.R.S. Road, M.G. Road, Vani Vilas Road, Vishwamanava Double Road, and roads in Udayagiri and Gayathripuram among some of the roads that require immediate attention.
A senior official in Mysore City Corporation (MCC) admitted to The Hindu that road repair works could not be taken up in the entire city ahead of Dasara due to rain. “We took up only a few roads in the heart of the city for repair before Dasara. We have only done patchwork,” the official conceded.
The civic body had asphalted only a few stretches of roads near places of tourist interest, keeping in mind the inflow of people during Dasara. The government had released Rs. 5 crore for the repair of roads ahead of Dasara.
Newly-elected Mayor R. Lingappa said he would convene a meeting of officials at 11 a.m. on Tuesday to discuss the condition of roads in the city.
“Patchwork, pothole filling or asphalting cannot be taken during the rains. However, I will discuss the matter with officials and take necessary steps,” he said.
Officials said the civic body would be able to complete road repairs within a week to ten days after the rains abate. “Tenders have been called for and awarded to the contractors. We are only waiting for the rains to stop to begin work,” the official added.
