Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari with Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries and Mandya MP H. D. Kumaraswamy met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on March 20 in connection with the swift implementation of the Mandya Ring Road project.

During the meeting at Mr. Gadkari’s office in the Parliament building in New Delhi, Mr. Kumaraswamy informed him that the Mandya Urban Development Authority had prepared a DPR (Detailed Project Report) for the project. However, the estimated budget set by the authority was insufficient, he said and sought approval for a revised project cost of ₹950 crore to ensure its implementation, to which Mr. Gadkari responded positively.

Expressing gratitude to Mr. Gadkari, Mr. Kumaraswamy explained that ₹550 crore would be required for land acquisition, and ₹350 crore for construction work, making a total of ₹900 crore necessary for the project.

Mr Kumaraswamy said he has emphasised to the Minister that implementation of the ring road project would greatly benefit Mandya city’s growth and development.

“My dream is for Mandya city to be transformed into a leading urban centre with a well-structured transportation system. The ₹900 crore Mandya Ring Road will boost development,” he said.

Four-lane highway development

Mr. Kumaraswamy said that he also discussed with Mr. Gadkari the upgradation of the national highway passing through the Melukote Assembly constituency in the district, between Jevargi and Chamarajanagar, from two lanes to four lanes.

He specifically requested approval to develop the 150A two-lane highway between Jevargi and Chamarajanagar into a four-lane highway from KM 597-560 to KM 606-670.

Mr. Kumaraswamy highlighted that converting the highway into a four-lane road would boost regional development, improve cargo transportation, and promote trade and commercial activities.

Truck way near Pandavapura

Additionally, the Mandya MP has proposed construction of a truck way along the highway near Pandavapura Railway Station to facilitate sugarcane transportation for farmers supplying to the local sugar factory.

Mr. Kumaraswamy mentioned that local residents had raised this concern during a recent foundation stone-laying ceremony for the project. After personally inspecting the location, he confirmed the necessity of constructing a separate lane for trucks, and conveyed this to Mr. Gadkari.

Moreover, discussions were held regarding the approval and expedited implementation of various highway projects in Karnataka, including those in Kolar Lok Sabha constituency.

Former Minister C.S. Puttaraju and Kolar MP Mallesh Babu accompanied Mr. Kumaraswamy during the discussions.

Mr. Puttaraju said, “Since H.D. Kumaraswamy became a Cabinet Minister at the Centre after being elected as Mandya MP, several developmental projects have been launched in the constituency. Many highway development projects have already been approved. The implementation of the ₹900 crore Mandya Ring Road is awaited. The upgradation of highways in the Pandavapura region is progressing rapidly.”