Minister in-charge of Mysuru district Yathindra Siddaramaiah on Saturday said the State government was stepping up investments in Mysuru’s urban infrastructure, with a new bus terminal coming up at Bannimantap at a cost of ₹129 crore.

Speaking after hoisting the national flag at the 80th Independence Day celebrations in Mysuru, he said the bus terminal was among a series of major infrastructure projects being taken up to cater to the growing number of tourists visiting the city and improve public transport facilities.

He said ₹393.85 crore was being spent on white-topping 46.088 km of roads along 12 major stretches in Mysuru city. The project was aimed at improving road quality and reducing maintenance requirements.

The Minister also said the government was implementing a ₹588.24-crore project to convert 11-kV overhead power lines into underground cables within Mysuru city limits. The work, once completed, would help reduce maintenance costs and power interruptions caused by damage to overhead lines.

Drinking water priority

Mr. Yathindra said Mysuru district was facing a rainfall deficit and reservoirs had not filled to the expected levels, making drinking water supply the government’s first priority. Precautionary measures were being taken to prevent drinking water shortages.

The government had initially released ₹4.5 crore for measures including drilling new borewells, rejuvenating existing ones, hiring private borewells and supplying water through tankers. Subsequently, ₹1 crore was released for each Assembly constituency, he added.

Greater Mysuru plan

Highlighting Mysuru’s tourism potential, Mr. Yathindra said tourist arrivals to the district and city were increasing steadily.

He said the government had initiated steps towards creating a Greater Mysuru City Corporation by merging one city municipal council, four town panchayats and eight gram panchayats adjoining the existing Mysuru City Corporation limits. A preliminary notification had been issued and a comprehensive development plan was being prepared.

The government was also taking steps to establish a new Kidwai Memorial Hospital and NIMHANS-type institute in Mysuru, he said.

On civic initiatives, he said Mysuru had secured the third Swachh Survekshan award in 2025. The city was now converting 80 garbage-vulnerable points into clean, attractive and sustainable public spaces under the 80th Independence Day Swachhata Abhiyan-2026.

Mr. Yathindra said the Shakti scheme had provided 49.56 crore free bus tickets to women over the past three years, with an expenditure of ₹1,300 crore. Under Anna Bhagya, 6,78,796 BPL and Antyodaya card-holding families in the district were benefiting, with 22,24,403 beneficiaries receiving 10 kg of rice through fair-price shops.

He said the government had accorded priority to women’s education and was constructing a separate hostel at Maharani’s Women’s Science College at a cost of ₹170 crore, with accommodation for 1,400 students.

He said the government would continue to focus on development, farmers’ welfare, infrastructure and public services, with several development works planned in the coming days. With Dasara approaching, he expressed hope that the celebrations would be held meaningfully and sought the blessings of Goddess Chamundeshwari for the people of the State.

Earlier, Mr. Yathindra inspected the guard of honour. He and other dignitaries witnessed an impressive march past by 22 platoons.

Schoolchildren presented cultural programmes as part of the celebrations. Silver medals were presented to KSRTC drivers in recognition of their accident-free service, including 12 drivers from the Mysuru urban division and nine from the rural division.

MLA Tanveer Sait presided over the function.

Published - August 15, 2026 08:03 pm IST