State nod for rapid transit system in Mysore

Mysore: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Mysore division, has perhaps become the first agency in Mysore to take advantage of the Centre’s Rs 120,536 crore seven-year Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

KSRTC’s Rs 940 crore project for rapid transport system has received the state government approval and sent to the Centre for approval.

The second project on infrastructure development at a cost of Rs 85.25 crore has already been approved and tenders have been floated. This project is likely to be finalised by next March-April.

A detailed report is being drafted for the Rs 940 crore project for development of the rapid transport system with dedicated lines in the city.

The second project covers the development of existing bus stands and setting up new stations. Improvement of existing bus stands and stations (Rs 11.79 crore), bus stands and stations within the city (Rs 15.8 crore), building an inter-model transit system at Sathagalli (Rs 27 crore), R S Naidu Nagar (Rs 4.70 crore), Yelwal (Rs 5.10 crore) and Chamundi Hills Rs 3.20 crore. The inter-model transit system will have facilities like parking, shopping malls, library etc. for commuters.

About 150 places have been identified for building modern bus stands. These will be taken up under public-private participation, according to KSRTC Divisional Controller P Ashok Kumar.

The Rs 940-crore rapid transport system will have four corridors of a total length of 143 km, each corridor running for about 28-30 km across the city.

An original destination survey has been completed. The project will also include a multi-level parking facility at the Mysore Bus Stand.

He said the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation would augment Volvo services in the city by pressing into service 50-60 buses by March this year. Presently, 25 buses operate. Similarly, low-floor buses will also be introduced shortly.