KPCC seeks ₹500-crore budget allocation for Mysuru traffic, policing overhaul

Ahead of the presentation of the State Budget, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has urged the State government to allocate ₹500 crore to strengthen Mysuru’s traffic management system and improve law and order infrastructure, citing the city’s rapid expansion and rising vehicular pressure.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and submitted through Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, a KPCC delegation led by party State spokesperson M. Lakshman said Mysuru is fast-evolving into Greater Mysuru, with larger areas being brought under the Greater Mysuru City Corporation (GMCC). In view of this expansion, the city requires an immediate and comprehensive infrastructure overhaul to handle increasing traffic congestion and policing needs.

During his meeting with the Police Commissioner on January 24, Mr. Lakshman urged the government to earmark ₹500 crore exclusively for the Police Department to implement traffic and security-related projects in the city.

Pointing out that Mysuru currently has 16 police stations covering about 86 sq. km, the KPCC said the expansion of Greater Mysuru to 341 sq. km warrants the immediate establishment of at least six new police stations (law and order) and four traffic police stations, which they want announced in the forthcoming Budget. The delegation also sought an increase in the number of posts of Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs) from the existing strength to four, in line with the expansion of the city’s limits, besides a command centre to monitor CCTV footages installed across the city, as is the case in cities identified under the Smart City project.

Given Mysuru’s status as a major tourist destination, the KPCC stressed the need for a Bomb Detection Squad with necessary equipment and trained personnel.

On traffic management, Mr. Lakshman, in the letter, highlighted that Mysuru has a vehicle population of nearly eight lakh, with around one lakh vehicles entering the city daily, leading to severe congestion. To ease traffic flow, the party demanded the establishment of four new satellite bus terminals beyond the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and suggested shifting the private bus stand to T. Narasipura Road.

The memorandum also emphasised the urgent need to implement flyover and underpass projects connecting Metropole Circle to Hinkal Circle, JLB Road and other key junctions without delay. With parking emerging as a major challenge, especially during Dasara, the KPCC proposed the construction of six multi-level parking complexes at different locations within the GMCC limits.

Additional demands included installation of traffic signals at major circles, construction of skywalks and pedestrian underpasses on ORR, development of peripheral and radial roads, widening of the existing ring road into a 12-lane corridor, and construction of a new exhibition facility outside the city limits on the lines of the one on Tumakuru Road in Bengaluru.

Karnataka Exhibition Authority chairman Ayub Khan, district party president B.J. Vijaykumar, city president R. Murthy, and other leaders were present.