CFTRI, Rail Museum stand forlorn on KRS road

Unscientific planning: Road turns into valley; water supply, drainage issues yet to be addressed

With the works still incomplete, it may surely take another month or two and most probably, it would only be ready and coincide with the inauguration of Dasara activities, is the opinion of those who have a close look of the road.

Travelling up the KRS road with the popular CFTRI logo standing majestically on your left and the gate of the Mysore city railway station and the Mysore rail museum on your right will soon be a thing of the past, as with the current status of the road, one travelling on the vehicle, have to strain their necks to have a glimpse of the same.

Two years of repairs

The much publicised KRS road which connects the vantage points like the Vontikoppal temple, the Brindavan gardens and the most popular tourist spot Balmuri and Yedamuri in Srirangapatna taluk, was taken up for repair around two years ago.

As the works involved both the department of railways and the Mysore City Corporation, as expected, the works began and continued at a snail’s pace.

At the same time, the residents who now and then peeked into the area hoped that the road would be of a world class standard, with CFTRI, which is a pride of the heritage city, the decades old Mysore rail museum and Akashvani situated on the stretch of road.

Shock waves

But with more than 50 per cent works completed, one look at the road send shock waves among the people as to whether the authorities really have a scientific approach to the whole exercise.

The Central Food Technology and Research Institute which had an air of serenity with a huge campus of its own, now stands more than eight feet above the road level and so does the Railway museum.

Opening on August 1?

When Deccan Herald contacted executive engineer of MCC Basavarajaiah, he said that they had not announced the date but had assured to try to throw open the road on August 1.

Disclosing that the deputy commissioner of police and assistant commissioner of police had made a spot inspection on Tuesday, he said still there are a lot of problems to be addressed like the water supply pipelines, drainage, seepage and leakage from the pipes that have become a great nuisance and hindering the works. 

Moreover, the railway authorities too have lowered the bridge, and they have to make adjustments accordingly, he added.

Commenting on the height of the CFTRI and Museum, he said that it does not come under their purview and that has to be taken care of by themselves.

Majority of the works have been completed in the past one and a half months and will take some more time to be open to public, he added.

When queried about the further stretch of the road passing CFTRI, which becomes narrow, he said the road would be widened according to the space available.

Discussions held

Murali, administration officer, CFTRI said that discussions are on with the Vani Vilas Water Works and MCC to solve the problem of a pipeline running right in front of their premises.

Steps will be taken not to change the face of the CFTRI and retain the heritage look of the premises. Most probably they would lower the road that leads into the campus but it is yet to be decided, he added.

An employee of the Railway museum said that the officials have inspected the spot and steps would be taken to lay steps.

The museum which had school students from across the state visiting regularly, now has not had any visitors from the past two years, since the road was closed.