15-acre plot earmarked for DC office in Mysuru

MYSURU: The much-awaited DC office complex is finally taking shape. The district administration has zeroed in on a 15-acre plot in Siddharthanagar for the project.
The plot at the prime location has been approved by chief minister Siddaramaiah and revenue minister V Srinivas Prasad, who is also the district incharge minister. An initial grant of Rs 35 crore was released by Siddaramaiah during the last financial year but the ambitious project was delayed owing to land issues.
The project was conceived by Srinivas Prasad, who had favoured construction of a new office complex as the century-old Attara Kacheri is crowded and had got funds allocated in the budget.
The prime land located in the campus of the defunct German Press has been zeroed in by the district administration. The state government had given 100 acres to the Centre on lease for 99 years and the latter agreed to hand over 15 acres.
The lease period is on till 2061 but the Union government has agreed to return it to the state government before the expiry of the lease agreement, sources told TOI.
"The plot was inspected by the CM and revenue minister some time back and had approved it (for the construction of the DC office complex)," they said.
The land is now the property of the state government and there are no hurdles to use it for the project, they stated.
In all, 21 acres is attached to the German Press out of which 15 acres will be available for the project, they stated adding the PWD officials too have inspected the site.
The PWD minister H C Mahadevappa too has given his approval. The PWD officials have worked on the project details. But it is yet to be cleared by the CM and PWD minister, they stated.
Though some prime sites were eyed, there were hurdles as some properties were in the court of law.
"The land at the foothills of Chamundi Hills near the helipad was also suggested for the project. But it was under litigation. Another plot eyed was 21 acres land attached to MUDA in Vijayshreepura on Mysuru-Madikeri road. But it is also under litigation," they stated.
Some four plots each with over 20 acres close to the Outer Ring Road were also identified but eventually dropped as they were away from the city centre.