Mysuru: The Mysuru airport expansion has gained momentum with the authorities proposing to reduce the bypass road from 9km to 3km by constructing an underpass to allow the extension of the runway.The airport upgradation project has been delayed for a decade due to the need to realign the Mysuru-Nanjangud stretch of NH 766, which passes close to the airport in Mandakalli on the outskirts of Mysuru.During the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting with Union minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday, the Mysuru deputy commissioner G Lakshmikanth Reddy mentioned that the proposed bypass near Mysuru airport on NH-766 has also been revised. An underpass is proposed to be built near the airport, allowing the extension of the runway, he stated.The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has approved the proposal to build an underpass.Officials explained that instead of constructing 9km underpass, the revised project proposes to build 3km, which will reduce the cost of the project as the land requirement for building a new road has been cut down by more than half.The officials informed the minister that the state govt has to hand over the land required for the expansion of the airport. Reacting to this, the deputy commissioner said that in the first phase, 240 acres was handed over, while 80 acres still need to be handed over to the AAI. It will be completed shortly, he stated.The deputy commissioner told Kumaraswamy, who represents the Mandya Lok Sabha segment, that road construction on NH-275 between Srirangapatna and Kushalnagar is in progress.Meanwhile, Kumaraswamy directed district officials to ensure that the benefits of centrally-sponsored schemes are delivered transparently to all eligible beneficiaries. Stressing the need to safeguard the interests of farmers, Kumaraswamy instructed officials to provide either alternative land or adequate monetary compensation in cases where agricultural land is acquired for national highway development. He noted that favourable rainfall this year resulted in a good harvest across the district. However, he urged the administration to expedite compensation procedures for farmers whose crops were damaged due to excess rains. He also emphasised the timely completion of drinking water projects.Mysore MP Yaduveer Wadiyar highlighted the importance of balancing Mysuru’s development with the conservation of its rich heritage. He complained that state govt has proposed to build two flyovers in the city without consulting public representatives and stressed that there is also no clearance from the National Green Tribunal.Krishnaraja MLA TS Srivatsa urged officials to fast-track the AMRUT drinking water project in Srirampura town panchayat limits and improve sanitation infrastructure by procuring a super sucking machine under the Swachh Bharat Mission.Zilla panchayat CEO S Yukesh Kumar reported that 87% of the Jal Jeevan Mission works are completed, with the target of full completion by Dec-end. The multi-village drinking water scheme has recorded 55% progress. He also shared that under NREGA for 2025-26, the district has already achieved 98.5% of its man-day generation target by the end of Sep.
