Mysuru City Corporation has reopened the Sayyajirao Road pedestrian subway after a safety review, restoring a dedicated crossing facility on one of the city’s busiest roads and adding CCTV cameras, waste bins and artwork to improve its use.
The subway, which was built nearly a decade ago, had remained closed because of safety concerns. It was opened temporarily during Mysuru Dasara in 2025, but was not available for regular public use until the latest inspection and review by MCC commissioner MK Savita.
Sayyajirao Road carries heavy vehicular traffic, with pedestrian movement increasing during Mysuru Dasara and other public events. The road’s traffic conditions have made it difficult for people to cross at street level, particularly when visitor numbers and shopping activity rise in the area.
MCC expects the reopened subway to provide a safer route for pedestrians, reduce the risk of accidents and support smoother movement of vehicles on the road. The facility is expected to be used by residents, shoppers and visitors who need to cross the road during normal daily activity as well as during major festivals.
The corporation has installed CCTV cameras inside the subway as part of the safety measures reviewed before reopening. Waste bins have also been provided to support cleanliness, while artwork has been added to the interior walls as part of an aesthetic makeover.
The changes address several practical concerns associated with pedestrian subways, including security, upkeep and the condition of the user environment. However, the facility’s effectiveness will depend on whether pedestrians choose it over crossing the road at surface level and whether the civic body maintains the cameras, cleanliness and other amenities.
MCC has appealed to citizens to use the subway instead of crossing Sayyajirao Road directly. It has also asked users to keep the facility clean and protect the artwork and other amenities installed inside it. The reopened facility is expected to be particularly important during future festivals and public events, when the road experiences increased traffic and pedestrian demand.
