Oscar Fernandes urged to enhance road connectivity

September 24, 2013

TNN | Sep 23, 2013, 11.25 PM IST

MYSORE: The tourist hub requires improved road connectivity and the Centre will focus on it, said Oscar Fernandes, Union road transport and highways minister, here on Monday.Referring to the demand to upgrade state highway connecting Mysore to Malavalli as a national highway, the minister said that he will do it. “That should serve Mysore better,” he told reporters.

Chamaraja MLA Vasu and Mysore Chamber of Commerce & Industry team met the minister and submitted a memorandum, seeking improved connectivity to Mysore. They urged him to connect Mysore to Malavalli so that travellers between Mysore and Bangalore have an alternative route. This is because, NH-209, that connects Bangalore to Dindigul in Tamil Nadu, passes through Malavalli. They claimed that the stretch between Mysore and Malavalli is a missing link.

In his petition, Vasu has pointed out that Mysore is missed out from NHs’ network though two busiest highways – NH-212 and NH-209 — pass close to it. “People have been demanding that NHs provide connectivity to Mysore,” he said.

The minister said that projects in Karnataka are in focus, and connectivity is his main concern. “But the problem is land acquisition,” he said, adding that NH projects will be hastened following a clarification from the apex court that roadside trees do not require environment clearance.

Source-http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com