A high-powered committee (HPC) of the Union government — responsible for the approval and monitoring of works under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) — has approved a new project worth Rs 45 crore for the development of heritage streets, surrounding the Mysore palace and Town Hall.

The project will seek to beautify New Sayyaji Rao road, Bangalore-Nilgiri road, the road facing the Palace's south gate, Chamaraja double road, the stretch between the Gun House and B Rachaiah circle; and give them a 'heritage look'. Traditional lamps will be installed on either side of the streets in the vicinity of the Palace.

The Town Hall will also be developed. A ground-level parking facility, for about 500 cars, will be established on its premises.

The project will also include the construction of a children's park, a Tonga stand, a gallery with seating arrangements for 1,000 people and improvement in infrastructure of the Heritage building, stated Suresh Babu, Superintendent Engineer (JNNURM) section of the Corporation, in a press release.

This would be the fifth JNNURM project in Mysore, after the KSRTC project, Slum rehabilitation, water supply project and Ring Road project.

The project was approved after a delegation led by Mayor Purushotham, MCC Commissioner KS Raykar and Superintendent Engineer Suresh Babu met with the members of the central panel.