Mysuru: Despite opposition from residents and environmental groups, the Public Works Department has decided to go ahead with the project to straighten a curve on Hunsur Road near Kalamandira. Mysuru-Kodagu Member of Parliament Pratap Simha will launch the project on Nov. 6, Monday (tomorrow).

A communication from the MP’s office said that Pratap Simha will launch the works near Jaladarshini Guest House at 11 am. Speaking to Star of Mysore this morning, Simha said that the project will be launched tomorrow as per schedule. “The funds for the project will be sanctioned by the Centre and as such I will launch the same along with Chamaraja MLA Vasu,” he said and added that he was not sure of District-in-Charge Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa attending the launching works.

It may be recalled here that on Oct. 22, thousands of protestors formed a Human Chain opposing the State Government’s Rs. 12 crore plan to widen and straighten the Hunsur Road. Through Human Chain and silent march, they debunked the government theory that the road is leading to accidents and appealed to the authorities not to cut trees.

According to Green groups, the project, if executed, will affect the green cover in the area. Experts have also pointed out that straightening the road could make the spot more accident-prone. They asserted that the lack of speed-control measures is causing accidents.

While PWD has said that it was taking up the project to check accidents on the stretch, traffic experts have suggested other options like building a traffic island at the site to control the speed of vehicles.