Mysore/Mysuru: Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha said that the Centre has sanctioned Rs. 161 crore to asphalt the entire Outer Ring Road (ORR) of the city and Rs. 7.5 crore to asphalt the stretch from Hinkal Junction to Manuganahalli on Hunsur Highway, under Swachh Survekshan Abhiyan.

He was speaking after launching Cleanliness Drive at Hinkal Junction (Vajpayee Circle) on Hunsur Road this morning, ahead of asphalting and minor works to be taken up shortly on the National Highway.

Pointing out that the total length of the ORR in city is about 43.5 kms, Simha said that works on clearing of construction debris and other wastes along the entire stretch of the Ring Road has been completed and asphalting and minor works of the road will be taken up shortly out of the sanctioned fund of Rs. 161 crore.

Stating that he will be carrying out an inspection of the Ring Road along with District Minister S.T. Somashekar tomorrow (Feb. 7), the MP said that roadside eateries and other shops doing business along the Ring Road will be warned of  stringent legal action if any wastes or debris are found freshly dumped along the roadside. 

Stating that the cleaning works of Hunsur Highway on the stretch from Hinkal Junction (Vajpayee Circle) to Manuganahalli will be completed in three days, Simha said that asphalting and other minor development works on this stretch will be taken up soon  at a cost of Rs. 7.5 crore sanctioned by the Centre under Swachh Survekshan Abhiyan.

The cleaning works have been taken up jointly by the Public Works Department (PWD), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Gram Panchayats (GPs) under whom villages along the Hunsur Highway come, he added.

Bemoaning that he found all sorts of wastes dumped along Manandvadi Road by hoteliers and other roadside eateries when he was on his way to Mysore Airport in Mandakalli recently, he warned that criminal cases will be booked against those found dumping wastes along Highways and other roads. 

Replying to a query on Highway blockade by farmers who are seeking repeal of the newly introduced three Farm Laws, Simha asserted that there is not even a single section in the Laws that is detrimental to the interests of the farmers.

Chamundeshwari MLA G.T. Devegowda, Mysuru Taluk Panchayat (TP) Executive Officer (EO) C.R. Krishnakumar, Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) Chairman Hemanth Kumar Gowda and other officials were present.