The row between Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) and Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) over the operation and maintenance of street lights on the 42.5-km-long Outer Ring Road (ORR) may end soon as it has been decided to conduct a survey to demarcate the areas that come under their respective limits for further action.
Most areas of the ORR plunge into darkness because of non-functioning street lights following the row between the MUDA and the MCC on who should maintain them. This has been causing a lot of inconvenience to vehicle users, and has also resulted in accidents.
The ORR had been transferred to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) by the MUDA, but the authority has since clarified that it could not maintain the street lights, leaving the two local bodies to sort out the issue in the interest of public safety.
The MUDA has claimed that it incurs an expenditure of ₹2 crore a year for maintaining the lights, including electricity charges.
During Dasara this year, the lights were operated for about 10 days in view of tourist arrivals, and thereafter the lights went off in most stretches. The reason cited for non-functioning lights was that the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) had disconnected power supply over unpaid dues.
The issue came up for discussion at the recent MUDA board meeting, which resolved to conduct a survey for owning responsibility for the street lights.
MUDA Commissioner Kantharaju told The Hindu that the authority would take up responsibility for the street lights only under its and the Gram Panchayat’s limits, while the MCC would have to handle those in the city corporation areas. This would include operation and maintenance.
“Prior to this, we will look for some sponsors to pay the electricity charges, and they could display their publicity material on the poles. For this, an expression of interest will be called soon. If there is no response, then the MUDA and the MCC will stick to what the board has resolved,” the Commissioner said. The process will come into effect once Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar, who is also chairman of the MUDA, ratifies the decisions.
Street lights in most places along the ORR are not working because of fused bulb, damage to wires, disruption in power supply, and other reasons. While the road is illuminated on some stretches, some places turn pitch dark after dusk, posing a risk to pedestrians and motorists. Unless the issue is resolved, unlawful activities along such stretches may rise, feel some residents living in layouts abutting the ORR.