It is obvious that the traffic problem in Mysore is getting worse. The
decline has been very rapid the last few years, epecially in the centre
of the city. Junctions such as the Medical College Circle have now
become very difficult to negotiate.
During the rush hours
(around 10 in the morning and around 7 in the evening), there is a near
gridlock and the traffic almost comes to a stop.
If the Master Plan 2031 approved by the government recently
comes into effect, the traffic problem in the centre of the city will
get worse many fold. The Plan permits apartments and service apartments
(which are essentially hotels) in the central business district. "With a
view to encourage redevelopment of the old areas", the Plan also
permits additional floor area ratio in the centre of the city which
means more floors will be permitted. A huge mall at Makkaji Chowka has
already come up. Needless to say, these developments will put a severe
pressure on road traffic (and other infrastructural facilities such as
solid waste management, electricity, water, fire services etc. also).
Since the Plan also classifies the centre of the city a Heritage
Zone, no flyovers will be permitted. There is no space available to
widen the roads. So Master Plan 2031 will increase the vehicle density
and there will be no way to alleviate the problem. With the existing
road network already cracking under traffic pressure, it is hard to
imagine how anyone can get into or out of the city centre in the years
to come.
A plan is supposed to solve existing problems and avoid foreseeable problems. Master Plan 2031 fails on both counts.
R.Chandra Prakash, Mysore Grahakara Parishat