A ₹7 crore road development project on the old Mysuru road inside Hunsur has come under criticism from local organisations, which have alleged that the work is being carried out without completing essential surveys and removing trees and electricity poles along the route.
The organisations held a protest near the Devaraja Arasu statue in Hunsur, raising concerns about the quality and planning of the project being implemented by the Public Works Department. The project includes widening the road within Hunsur city and constructing drainage infrastructure.
Speaking at the protest, advocate Puttaraj said the funding secured for the project was welcome, but alleged that Public Works Department officials had not adequately checked the quality of work being carried out by the contractor. He said officials had been informed about the concerns but had responded that letters had been sent to the Survey Department and the concerned departments for the removal of trees and electricity poles.
According to Puttaraj, work should have started only after the road boundaries were surveyed and the trees and electricity poles were cleared. He criticised the reported position that the work had begun because the other departments had not acted, saying that public funds should not be spent without resolving these issues.
Satya Foundation president Satyappa alleged that the department responsible for maintaining construction quality had remained silent and was acting under the influence of the contractor. He also said the road boundaries should first have been marked by the Survey Department, followed by the removal of obstructions, before construction began.
Human Rights Struggle Organisation district committee president Intak Raju said the work should follow the estimate prepared by the Public Works Department. He warned that the organisations would oppose the project and hold further protests if the work was not carried out according to the approved estimate.
Responding to the allegations, Public Works Department assistant executive engineer Yatheesh said the old Mysuru road had earlier been under the Hunsur City Municipal Council. The department had taken steps to develop it using funds secured for the constituency by MLA G.D. Harish Gowda, he said.
Yatheesh said the project would include a duct, drains on both sides of the road, a central divider and electric lights. He rejected the allegation that the work was unscientific or lacking in quality, stating that construction standards were being maintained. He also said that a special investigation could be conducted if required.
The official said letters had been sent to the Survey and Forest departments two months earlier requesting action. The report does not specify whether the survey, tree removal or electricity-pole clearance has since been completed. The dispute therefore remains centred on whether construction sequencing and quality controls are being followed while the project proceeds.
