Agencies blamed for slow pace of work on medians
The Hindu.com
Staff Correspondent
They are not taking work seriously: Corporation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foot overbridges and development of medians were proposed two months ago
Foot overbridges are to be maintained by the concerned agency for 15 years and medians for six years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBLI: If works were taken up according to schedule, some of the roads in the city would have sported a new look by now.
Slow pace of work has affected beautification work undertaken by advertising agencies with great enthusiasm.
The works seem to be in the initial stages although it is more than a month since they were started. Work on Lamington Road seems to be progressing, but that on the median on the road opposite Old Bus Stand seems to have halted.
Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation mooted the plan to develop medians and construct three foot over bridges on a private-public partnership basis two months ago. And some advertising agencies jumped at the offer.
It was decided that the agencies will take up construction of foot overbridges and medians and maintain them for a stipulated period, when they will be allowed to earn revenue through selling space for advertisements.
Maintenance
Foot overbridges are to be maintained by the concerned agency for 15 years and medians for six years. And depending upon the maintenance, the Standing Committee will extend maintenance period for another six years.
The corporation feels that the agencies have lost their initial enthusiasm and failed to complete the works in time. It has expressed its displeasure over the "negligence" shown by the advertising agencies. One of the agencies has been told that if it fails to complete work by February 25, the agreement will be cancelled.
The corporation has also expressed displeasure over the "slow" pace of work by Public Works Department (PWD). It has paid Rs. 20 lakhs to the PWD towards the additional expenditure needed for asphalting old national highway stretches around KC Circle. But even after more than a month, the work has not been completed.
A decision to communicate the concern over slow progress of work to the PWD officials was taken on Thursday at a meeting of the heads of departments in the Corporation.
Monday, February 20, 2006
‘Hubli has potential to become next software hub’
‘Hubli has potential to become next software hub’
Deccan Herald.com
DH News Service Hubli:
There was not doubt that Hubli-Dharwad would be the next destination for employment generation if the IT giants invest money in the twin cities in coming days, Mr Ajit Kaikini, a noted industrialist said.
Speaking at the special lecture in memory of late Suresh Shabadimath of Gadag organised by the Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Saturday.
There were many graduates who migrated to Bangalore for jobs for lack of opportunites here, he said.
Mr Kaikini also delivered a lecture on “Importance of Human Excellence in Success Strategies”.
Mrs Sadhana Kaikini, President of Buoyancee Association, Bangalore said that some years ago, intelligent and able candidates were being appointed by the firms. But in present situation, enterprising and enthusiastic candidates were selected along with intelligence.
Because, such enterprising persons would be able to work unitedly by attracting all members towards them.
She said that one should have positive attitudes like accuracy, self-control, helping nature and sympathy. Negative points such as jealousy, fear, postponement and anger should be given up.
Mr M C Hiremath, Vice-President of KCCI welcomed the guests and explained about Buoyancee Company. Mr Basavaraj Byali explained about the practical accounting and business taxation courses.
Mr L V Magajikondi, Vice-President of KCCI, Mr Mahendra Ladhad, Secretary and others were present.
Deccan Herald.com
DH News Service Hubli:
There was not doubt that Hubli-Dharwad would be the next destination for employment generation if the IT giants invest money in the twin cities in coming days, Mr Ajit Kaikini, a noted industrialist said.
Speaking at the special lecture in memory of late Suresh Shabadimath of Gadag organised by the Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Saturday.
There were many graduates who migrated to Bangalore for jobs for lack of opportunites here, he said.
Mr Kaikini also delivered a lecture on “Importance of Human Excellence in Success Strategies”.
Mrs Sadhana Kaikini, President of Buoyancee Association, Bangalore said that some years ago, intelligent and able candidates were being appointed by the firms. But in present situation, enterprising and enthusiastic candidates were selected along with intelligence.
Because, such enterprising persons would be able to work unitedly by attracting all members towards them.
She said that one should have positive attitudes like accuracy, self-control, helping nature and sympathy. Negative points such as jealousy, fear, postponement and anger should be given up.
Mr M C Hiremath, Vice-President of KCCI welcomed the guests and explained about Buoyancee Company. Mr Basavaraj Byali explained about the practical accounting and business taxation courses.
Mr L V Magajikondi, Vice-President of KCCI, Mr Mahendra Ladhad, Secretary and others were present.
HDMC terminates roadwork contract
HDMC terminates roadwork contract
The Hindu.com
Staff Correspondent
Accuses company of delaying execution of work
HUBLI: The alleged inordinate delay by a contractor in executing a roadwork has made the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation terminate one of the four packages under a Rs. 30-crore project.
A Steering Committee that was set up to monitor the progress under the project took this decision after the company, which had bagged the Hubli North road work package worth Rs. 8.63 crores, expressed its inability to continue the work unless the escalation in costs was made good by the corporation.
The Steering Committee, in its meeting on Saturday chaired by HDMC Commissioner P. Manivannan, discussed the matter and said any extra payment can be made only according to the tender provisions. Moreover, it felt that the delay has been caused because of the alleged negligence of the company.
Representatives of the company submitted before the committee that it will be not possible for them to continue the work if their demand is not met and agreed for the termination of the contract provided all claims of the company along with the bills submitted for the work are cleared by the corporation.
Mr. Manivannan said the bills submitted by the agency and other claims will be decided based on the tender provisions.
The meeting also decided to break the package into smaller units to ensure the completion of the work before the onset of the monsoon.
The Hindu.com
Staff Correspondent
Accuses company of delaying execution of work
The contractor wanted the escalation in costs to be made good by the corporation
Corporation argued that the escalation of costs was owing to the delay in completing the project
Meeting decided to break the package into smaller units to ensure early completion of the work
HUBLI: The alleged inordinate delay by a contractor in executing a roadwork has made the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation terminate one of the four packages under a Rs. 30-crore project.
A Steering Committee that was set up to monitor the progress under the project took this decision after the company, which had bagged the Hubli North road work package worth Rs. 8.63 crores, expressed its inability to continue the work unless the escalation in costs was made good by the corporation.
The Steering Committee, in its meeting on Saturday chaired by HDMC Commissioner P. Manivannan, discussed the matter and said any extra payment can be made only according to the tender provisions. Moreover, it felt that the delay has been caused because of the alleged negligence of the company.
Representatives of the company submitted before the committee that it will be not possible for them to continue the work if their demand is not met and agreed for the termination of the contract provided all claims of the company along with the bills submitted for the work are cleared by the corporation.
Mr. Manivannan said the bills submitted by the agency and other claims will be decided based on the tender provisions.
The meeting also decided to break the package into smaller units to ensure the completion of the work before the onset of the monsoon.
Karnataka`s software exports up 30 per cent
Karnataka`s software exports up 30 per cent
Business Standard.com
Our Bureau / Chennai/ Bangalore February 20, 2006
Karnataka continues to surge ahead in software exports. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) units based in Karnataka registered 29.89 per cent rise in their exports to touch Rs 25,200 crore in the first three quarters of 2005-06 ending December 31, 2005. This accounts for 37 per cent of the total national software exports.
The state is targetting Rs 37,000 crore ($8.20 billion) by March 31, 2006 which will be a growth of 34.30 per cent over the previous year’s exports of Rs 27,600 crore.
Tier II cities (Mysore, Mangalore & Manipal and Hubli) in the state have done well, with Mangalore and Manipal recording Rs 430 crore software exports as against Rs 390 crore in the corresponding period last year, followed by Mysore at Rs 286 crore (Rs 223 crore) and Hubli at Rs 3.60 crore (Rs 2.50 crore).
“Mysore has become the next desired destination after Bangalore. Many of the anchor companies are keen to expand to each of these tier II locations,” STPI director B V Naidu said.
During the first three quarters of 2005-06, 135 new software companies set up operations in Bangalore (an average of four companies per week) as against 125 companies in the same period of the previous year (2004-05).
The period saw Bangalore attracting major global companies like Apple Computer, Deutsche Bank, Bearing Point, Target, Caterpillar, SanDisk, ABB and JP Morgan. Of these 135 companies, foreign equity companies numbered 82 and the rest were Indian companies.
Investment committed by these STP units amounts to Rs 2,127 crore, which includes Rs 1,400 crore from foreign companies, Rs 407 crore from major Indian companies and Rs 563 crore from small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Of the 1,658 companies registered with Karnataka STPI, 1,120 are active. “Of these, 400 companies have show interest in expanding within the city. This indicates industry’s continued confidence in Karnataka, said Shankaralinge Gowda, Karnataka IT&BT secretary.
Business Standard.com
State is targetting Rs 37,000 crore exports this fiscal
Our Bureau / Chennai/ Bangalore February 20, 2006
Karnataka continues to surge ahead in software exports. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) units based in Karnataka registered 29.89 per cent rise in their exports to touch Rs 25,200 crore in the first three quarters of 2005-06 ending December 31, 2005. This accounts for 37 per cent of the total national software exports.
The state is targetting Rs 37,000 crore ($8.20 billion) by March 31, 2006 which will be a growth of 34.30 per cent over the previous year’s exports of Rs 27,600 crore.
Tier II cities (Mysore, Mangalore & Manipal and Hubli) in the state have done well, with Mangalore and Manipal recording Rs 430 crore software exports as against Rs 390 crore in the corresponding period last year, followed by Mysore at Rs 286 crore (Rs 223 crore) and Hubli at Rs 3.60 crore (Rs 2.50 crore).
“Mysore has become the next desired destination after Bangalore. Many of the anchor companies are keen to expand to each of these tier II locations,” STPI director B V Naidu said.
During the first three quarters of 2005-06, 135 new software companies set up operations in Bangalore (an average of four companies per week) as against 125 companies in the same period of the previous year (2004-05).
The period saw Bangalore attracting major global companies like Apple Computer, Deutsche Bank, Bearing Point, Target, Caterpillar, SanDisk, ABB and JP Morgan. Of these 135 companies, foreign equity companies numbered 82 and the rest were Indian companies.
Investment committed by these STP units amounts to Rs 2,127 crore, which includes Rs 1,400 crore from foreign companies, Rs 407 crore from major Indian companies and Rs 563 crore from small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Of the 1,658 companies registered with Karnataka STPI, 1,120 are active. “Of these, 400 companies have show interest in expanding within the city. This indicates industry’s continued confidence in Karnataka, said Shankaralinge Gowda, Karnataka IT&BT secretary.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Plea to complete rail projects in NK
Plea to complete rail projects in NK
Newindpress.com
Saturday February 18 2006 12:06 IST
HUBLI: Patil Puttappa, president of Karnataka Development Forum, Hubli, has urged the Union and State governments to complete the on-going railway projects to rectify regional imbalance in the State.
Addressing a news conference here on Friday, Papu said that north Karnataka region could not be considered developed only by locating the South Western Railway’s headquarters in Hubli.
He said that addition of two more divisions, Gulbarga and Mangalore, to the present SWR zone would result in further development of region.
He flayed the State government for not releasing its financial share needed to take up the Gadag-Bijapur railway line.
The project was being delayed due to the State’s apathy since the Centre had already released its share.
He stressed the need for laying a new railway line between Londa-Thoranagal. On an average, about 7000 trucks transport iron ore from Bellary district daily.
He accused the state government of being negligent in convincing the Union government regarding Hubli-Ankola railway project.
Newindpress.com
Saturday February 18 2006 12:06 IST
HUBLI: Patil Puttappa, president of Karnataka Development Forum, Hubli, has urged the Union and State governments to complete the on-going railway projects to rectify regional imbalance in the State.
Addressing a news conference here on Friday, Papu said that north Karnataka region could not be considered developed only by locating the South Western Railway’s headquarters in Hubli.
He said that addition of two more divisions, Gulbarga and Mangalore, to the present SWR zone would result in further development of region.
He flayed the State government for not releasing its financial share needed to take up the Gadag-Bijapur railway line.
The project was being delayed due to the State’s apathy since the Centre had already released its share.
He stressed the need for laying a new railway line between Londa-Thoranagal. On an average, about 7000 trucks transport iron ore from Bellary district daily.
He accused the state government of being negligent in convincing the Union government regarding Hubli-Ankola railway project.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Agencies blamed for slow pace of work on medians
Agencies blamed for slow pace of work on medians
Newindpress.com
Staff Correspondent
They are not taking work seriously: Corporation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foot overbridges and development of medians were proposed two months ago
Foot overbridges are to be maintained by the concerned agency for 15 years and medians for six years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBLI: If works were taken up according to schedule, some of the roads in the city would have sported a new look by now.
Slow pace of work has affected beautification work undertaken by advertising agencies with great enthusiasm.
The works seem to be in the initial stages although it is more than a month since they were started. Work on Lamington Road seems to be progressing, but that on the median on the road opposite Old Bus Stand seems to have halted.
Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation mooted the plan to develop medians and construct three foot over bridges on a private-public partnership basis two months ago. And some advertising agencies jumped at the offer.
It was decided that the agencies will take up construction of foot overbridges and medians and maintain them for a stipulated period, when they will be allowed to earn revenue through selling space for advertisements.
Maintenance
Foot overbridges are to be maintained by the concerned agency for 15 years and medians for six years. And depending upon the maintenance, the Standing Committee will extend maintenance period for another six years.
The corporation feels that the agencies have lost their initial enthusiasm and failed to complete the works in time. It has expressed its displeasure over the "negligence" shown by the advertising agencies. One of the agencies has been told that if it fails to complete work by February 25, the agreement will be cancelled.
The corporation has also expressed displeasure over the "slow" pace of work by Public Works Department (PWD). It has paid Rs. 20 lakhs to the PWD towards the additional expenditure needed for asphalting old national highway stretches around KC Circle. But even after more than a month, the work has not been completed.
A decision to communicate the concern over slow progress of work to the PWD officials was taken on Thursday at a meeting of the heads of departments in the Corporation.
Newindpress.com
Staff Correspondent
They are not taking work seriously: Corporation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foot overbridges and development of medians were proposed two months ago
Foot overbridges are to be maintained by the concerned agency for 15 years and medians for six years
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HUBLI: If works were taken up according to schedule, some of the roads in the city would have sported a new look by now.
Slow pace of work has affected beautification work undertaken by advertising agencies with great enthusiasm.
The works seem to be in the initial stages although it is more than a month since they were started. Work on Lamington Road seems to be progressing, but that on the median on the road opposite Old Bus Stand seems to have halted.
Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation mooted the plan to develop medians and construct three foot over bridges on a private-public partnership basis two months ago. And some advertising agencies jumped at the offer.
It was decided that the agencies will take up construction of foot overbridges and medians and maintain them for a stipulated period, when they will be allowed to earn revenue through selling space for advertisements.
Maintenance
Foot overbridges are to be maintained by the concerned agency for 15 years and medians for six years. And depending upon the maintenance, the Standing Committee will extend maintenance period for another six years.
The corporation feels that the agencies have lost their initial enthusiasm and failed to complete the works in time. It has expressed its displeasure over the "negligence" shown by the advertising agencies. One of the agencies has been told that if it fails to complete work by February 25, the agreement will be cancelled.
The corporation has also expressed displeasure over the "slow" pace of work by Public Works Department (PWD). It has paid Rs. 20 lakhs to the PWD towards the additional expenditure needed for asphalting old national highway stretches around KC Circle. But even after more than a month, the work has not been completed.
A decision to communicate the concern over slow progress of work to the PWD officials was taken on Thursday at a meeting of the heads of departments in the Corporation.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
Hubli ring road survey soon: MP
Hubli ring road survey soon: MP
Newindpress.com
Thursday February 16 2006 12:25 IST
HUBLI: Survey for the construction of a ring road connecting NH 4, NH 218 at Gabbur Cross will start soon, said MP Prahlad Joshi.
Joshi said that the survey project had already received technical approval from the Union Ministry of Surface Transport in order to decongest the traffic in Hubli city. The project was sanctioned after fighting for the issue both in the House and Ministry level meetings over the last two years.
The Ministry had given its nod for undertaking the survey for the ring road, overpass, underpass and alignment of roads. In this regard, the Ministry released Rs 18 crore for entrusting the survey to a private firm.
In the meantime, the National Highway Authority of India, Hubli division has submitted a proposal to the Union government seeking permission for road alignment on the Hubli bypass.
Joshi assured of taking up the proposal with Union Minister of State for Surface Transport K H Muniyappa to sanction it at the earliest.
Newindpress.com
Thursday February 16 2006 12:25 IST
HUBLI: Survey for the construction of a ring road connecting NH 4, NH 218 at Gabbur Cross will start soon, said MP Prahlad Joshi.
Joshi said that the survey project had already received technical approval from the Union Ministry of Surface Transport in order to decongest the traffic in Hubli city. The project was sanctioned after fighting for the issue both in the House and Ministry level meetings over the last two years.
The Ministry had given its nod for undertaking the survey for the ring road, overpass, underpass and alignment of roads. In this regard, the Ministry released Rs 18 crore for entrusting the survey to a private firm.
In the meantime, the National Highway Authority of India, Hubli division has submitted a proposal to the Union government seeking permission for road alignment on the Hubli bypass.
Joshi assured of taking up the proposal with Union Minister of State for Surface Transport K H Muniyappa to sanction it at the earliest.
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Pending projects stare new govt in the face
Pending projects stare new govt in the face
Business Standard.com
Vidya Kulkarni / Chennai/ Dharwad February 14, 2006
During the Dharam Singh regime projects worth crores of rupees were announced for the development of twin cities. The twin cities lag behind Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan. The government had promised to transform the twin cities into an investor-friendly zone.
The formation of various committees and several rounds of meetings had raised hopes. But most projects did not take off. Now with the change in the government the people are worried about the fate of the projects.
The Dharam Singh government had announced several projects with assistance from many agencies within and abroad.
The City Infrastructure Improvement Committee (CIIC) had been formed with the deputy commissioner as its chairman to coordinate development works. The CIIC had been set up on the advise of the then Dharwad deputy commissioner, Gaurav Gupta. Ring roads to ease traffic congestion, setting up of a truck terminus, providing night landing facility at Hubli airport, creation of infrastructure for high court circuit bench were some of the projects initiated.
A Water and Land Management Institute was planned in Dharwad, so also was an IT Park at Hubli, construction of an indoor stadium in Dharwad, streamlining of traffic and most importantly regular and adequate supply of potable water to the twin cities have been on the agenda of the CIIC.
The CIIC held several rounds of meetings and discussed plans and projects but in the absence of funds, they were merely talking shops.
The state government submitted to the Centre a proposal to construct a 9.45 km ring road between Dharwad and Hubli. It has released Rs 20 lakh for the survey for the said works. But there is no information on the progress of the survey work. The widening of the road between Hubli and Dharwad for Rs 10 crore announced long ago is yet to be complete. Similarly, the work on rehabilitation of hawkers and vendors displaced during the ‘Operation Footpath’ is yet to take off. HDMC commissioner P Manivannan had said that 508 sites had been sanctioned for rehabilitating the roadside vendors.
Another major project hanging in balance is the Rs 176 crore Malaprabha third stage drinking water project when completed will provide 100 litres of water per capita per day for 20 lakh people till 2035 in the twin cities. The government has been talking of the project for over a decade.
The truth about the much-publicised World Bank-funded Malaprabha Third stage is that the finance department has rejected the proposal stating that the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation did not have the capacity to repay the loan.
The fact that the state government failed to use Rs 36 crore sanctioned by the Centre for the development of small and medium towns speaks of the lack of political will and preparedness of the bureaucracy to implement the projects. The state government has sanctioned another Rs 205 crore (in addition to the Rs 1,100 crore) to the department of municipal administration this fiscal.
The dilly-dallying by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) in handing over the 100-acre land to South Western Railway (SWR) has resulted in the SWR delaying development works in the region. The state government has agreed to hand over 100 acres near Rayapur between Dharwad and Hubli to the Railways for the goods-shed. Despite clearance at the ministerial level the KIADB has not handed over the land. Sources said the KIADB is demanding a hefty price.
The SWR had prepared a plan to upgrade the Hubli railway station for Rs 15 crore. The SWR says that expansion and development of Hubli Railway station cannot be taken up until the goods-shed is shifted.
The work on upgrading Hubli airport for Rs 2 crore was supposed to commence but is pending as the master plan is yet to be approved. Similarly, the work on supplying Malaprabha water to Belur industrial area off Dharwad was to be completed in December and water was to be supplied to the area from January. This was to enable the Tatas to set up their proposed unit in the area besides attracting more units. But the work is nowhere near completion.
Hubli-Dharwad has been included in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
The mission, launched by the Union ministry of urban employment and poverty alleviation aims at providing basic services to urban poor in 63 cities. In Karnataka, Bangalore has been selected under the category of cities with four million plus population and Hubli-Dharwad under cities with one million population. All the works under the mission need to be completed within seven years.
It is to be seen if those from Dharwad district occupying ministerial berths in the new dispensation ensure the sanctioned projects are not stalled.
Business Standard.com
Vidya Kulkarni / Chennai/ Dharwad February 14, 2006
During the Dharam Singh regime projects worth crores of rupees were announced for the development of twin cities. The twin cities lag behind Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore and Hassan. The government had promised to transform the twin cities into an investor-friendly zone.
The formation of various committees and several rounds of meetings had raised hopes. But most projects did not take off. Now with the change in the government the people are worried about the fate of the projects.
The Dharam Singh government had announced several projects with assistance from many agencies within and abroad.
The City Infrastructure Improvement Committee (CIIC) had been formed with the deputy commissioner as its chairman to coordinate development works. The CIIC had been set up on the advise of the then Dharwad deputy commissioner, Gaurav Gupta. Ring roads to ease traffic congestion, setting up of a truck terminus, providing night landing facility at Hubli airport, creation of infrastructure for high court circuit bench were some of the projects initiated.
A Water and Land Management Institute was planned in Dharwad, so also was an IT Park at Hubli, construction of an indoor stadium in Dharwad, streamlining of traffic and most importantly regular and adequate supply of potable water to the twin cities have been on the agenda of the CIIC.
The CIIC held several rounds of meetings and discussed plans and projects but in the absence of funds, they were merely talking shops.
The state government submitted to the Centre a proposal to construct a 9.45 km ring road between Dharwad and Hubli. It has released Rs 20 lakh for the survey for the said works. But there is no information on the progress of the survey work. The widening of the road between Hubli and Dharwad for Rs 10 crore announced long ago is yet to be complete. Similarly, the work on rehabilitation of hawkers and vendors displaced during the ‘Operation Footpath’ is yet to take off. HDMC commissioner P Manivannan had said that 508 sites had been sanctioned for rehabilitating the roadside vendors.
Another major project hanging in balance is the Rs 176 crore Malaprabha third stage drinking water project when completed will provide 100 litres of water per capita per day for 20 lakh people till 2035 in the twin cities. The government has been talking of the project for over a decade.
The truth about the much-publicised World Bank-funded Malaprabha Third stage is that the finance department has rejected the proposal stating that the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation did not have the capacity to repay the loan.
The fact that the state government failed to use Rs 36 crore sanctioned by the Centre for the development of small and medium towns speaks of the lack of political will and preparedness of the bureaucracy to implement the projects. The state government has sanctioned another Rs 205 crore (in addition to the Rs 1,100 crore) to the department of municipal administration this fiscal.
The dilly-dallying by the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) in handing over the 100-acre land to South Western Railway (SWR) has resulted in the SWR delaying development works in the region. The state government has agreed to hand over 100 acres near Rayapur between Dharwad and Hubli to the Railways for the goods-shed. Despite clearance at the ministerial level the KIADB has not handed over the land. Sources said the KIADB is demanding a hefty price.
The SWR had prepared a plan to upgrade the Hubli railway station for Rs 15 crore. The SWR says that expansion and development of Hubli Railway station cannot be taken up until the goods-shed is shifted.
The work on upgrading Hubli airport for Rs 2 crore was supposed to commence but is pending as the master plan is yet to be approved. Similarly, the work on supplying Malaprabha water to Belur industrial area off Dharwad was to be completed in December and water was to be supplied to the area from January. This was to enable the Tatas to set up their proposed unit in the area besides attracting more units. But the work is nowhere near completion.
Hubli-Dharwad has been included in the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
The mission, launched by the Union ministry of urban employment and poverty alleviation aims at providing basic services to urban poor in 63 cities. In Karnataka, Bangalore has been selected under the category of cities with four million plus population and Hubli-Dharwad under cities with one million population. All the works under the mission need to be completed within seven years.
It is to be seen if those from Dharwad district occupying ministerial berths in the new dispensation ensure the sanctioned projects are not stalled.
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Hubli airport upgrading awaits Centre’s nod
Hubli airport upgrading awaits Centre’s nod
Newindpress.com
Sunday February 12 2006 12:34 IST
HUBLI: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has devised a master plan for the upgrading of Hubli airport, said M S Srikar, Deputy Commissioner.
The master plan is Centre’s awaiting Centre’s approval. Once that is got Rs 2 crore would be released by KIADB for the development of Hubli airport, he added.
Elaborating on the steps taken for the development of the airport to MP Prahlad Joshi, during the inspection of works being taken up for the upgrading of Hubli airport at a cost of Rs 11.35 crore on Friday, he appealed to the MP to exert pressure on the Central government to give the nod for the master plan.
DC Srikar said the process of acquisition of 175 acres of land around Hubli airport would be taken up immediately after the release of Rs 2 crore.
During the inspection of works, officials of AAI confirmed that works on extension of the airport lounge, upgrading of runway and installation of signal lights for night landing were in progress. All these works were expected to be completed by March-end, they said.
He said though Deccan Airways operated a daily flight from Hubli to Bangalore, it was not sufficient to meet the growing needs of people of the region and demanded one more flight.
Though Deccan Airways was keen to start its services from Hubli in the night, it was not possible due to lack of adequate lights.
The Central government should be pressurised to convince other private airways to start air services from Hubli, he said. Joshi expressed displeasure over his not being invited to attend airport development meetings convened by the district administration.
He promised to hold talks with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa about the master plan devised by AAI and to take measures to bring pressure on the Centre to give it’s approval for the plan.
He also promised to discuss the issue of upgrading of Hubli airport with the Union Civil Aviation Minister during the parliamentary session scheduled to start from February 16.
Former MLA Ashok Katwe, councillor Ranga Baddi, Nagaraj Bakale, Umesh Joshi and others were present.
Newindpress.com
Sunday February 12 2006 12:34 IST
HUBLI: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has devised a master plan for the upgrading of Hubli airport, said M S Srikar, Deputy Commissioner.
The master plan is Centre’s awaiting Centre’s approval. Once that is got Rs 2 crore would be released by KIADB for the development of Hubli airport, he added.
Elaborating on the steps taken for the development of the airport to MP Prahlad Joshi, during the inspection of works being taken up for the upgrading of Hubli airport at a cost of Rs 11.35 crore on Friday, he appealed to the MP to exert pressure on the Central government to give the nod for the master plan.
DC Srikar said the process of acquisition of 175 acres of land around Hubli airport would be taken up immediately after the release of Rs 2 crore.
During the inspection of works, officials of AAI confirmed that works on extension of the airport lounge, upgrading of runway and installation of signal lights for night landing were in progress. All these works were expected to be completed by March-end, they said.
He said though Deccan Airways operated a daily flight from Hubli to Bangalore, it was not sufficient to meet the growing needs of people of the region and demanded one more flight.
Though Deccan Airways was keen to start its services from Hubli in the night, it was not possible due to lack of adequate lights.
The Central government should be pressurised to convince other private airways to start air services from Hubli, he said. Joshi expressed displeasure over his not being invited to attend airport development meetings convened by the district administration.
He promised to hold talks with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa about the master plan devised by AAI and to take measures to bring pressure on the Centre to give it’s approval for the plan.
He also promised to discuss the issue of upgrading of Hubli airport with the Union Civil Aviation Minister during the parliamentary session scheduled to start from February 16.
Former MLA Ashok Katwe, councillor Ranga Baddi, Nagaraj Bakale, Umesh Joshi and others were present.
No tall claim this: Jain beats Bahubali
No tall claim this: Jain beats Bahubali
Mahendra Chavan
CNN-IBN
Hubli (Karnataka): The 58-feet statue of Bahubali in Shravanabelagola has competition. It may no longer be the tallest monolith.
Another Jain Tirthankara statue in Hubli boasts of being three feet taller.
And this is no tall claim. Weighing 185 tons and 61-feet-tall, the monolithic statue of Parshwanath Teerthankar standing on top of a 48-foot pedestal is no doubt the tallest monolith in the world.
Says a priest, Gunadhara Nandi Bhattaraka, "There are some differences. Bahubali was a great warrior so his body has been made like that of a wrestler. Parsvanath attained enlightenment when he was 16 years old so his statue bears a child-like countenance."
The work on the statue began almost a year ago and even though it was ready, its weight had made it difficult to prop it up.
Some of the cranes that had been brought to the place for the purpose could not hold the load and were sent back.
It was finally an American company called Petron, which came to the rescue. They used a crane with a capacity to lift 800 tons of load to make the statue stand upright.
Says a visitor of the statue, Amruth Joshi, "Hubli city will once again be on the world map for it's biggest monolithic statue. It's a matter of great pride not only for the people of Hubli but for entire Karnataka."
Hubli may have won over Shravanabelagola when it comes to the height advantage but as far as antiquity goes, the statue of Bahubali still reigns supreme.
(With inputs from Priyanjana Dutta)
Mahendra Chavan
CNN-IBN
Hubli (Karnataka): The 58-feet statue of Bahubali in Shravanabelagola has competition. It may no longer be the tallest monolith.
Another Jain Tirthankara statue in Hubli boasts of being three feet taller.
And this is no tall claim. Weighing 185 tons and 61-feet-tall, the monolithic statue of Parshwanath Teerthankar standing on top of a 48-foot pedestal is no doubt the tallest monolith in the world.
Says a priest, Gunadhara Nandi Bhattaraka, "There are some differences. Bahubali was a great warrior so his body has been made like that of a wrestler. Parsvanath attained enlightenment when he was 16 years old so his statue bears a child-like countenance."
The work on the statue began almost a year ago and even though it was ready, its weight had made it difficult to prop it up.
Some of the cranes that had been brought to the place for the purpose could not hold the load and were sent back.
It was finally an American company called Petron, which came to the rescue. They used a crane with a capacity to lift 800 tons of load to make the statue stand upright.
Says a visitor of the statue, Amruth Joshi, "Hubli city will once again be on the world map for it's biggest monolithic statue. It's a matter of great pride not only for the people of Hubli but for entire Karnataka."
Hubli may have won over Shravanabelagola when it comes to the height advantage but as far as antiquity goes, the statue of Bahubali still reigns supreme.
(With inputs from Priyanjana Dutta)
A dream drive, then a nightmare that never ends
A dream drive, then a nightmare that never ends
The Sunday Express
BANGALORE, FEBRUARY 11: In central Karnataka, on the 342.4-km stretch between Tumkur and Hubli, on the Mumbai-Chennai leg of the Golden Quadrilateral project, there is a 20-minute period when car drivers think they can make it to Hubli well under four hours.
That 20-minute reverie occurs on a 41.4-km stretch between Tumkur (60 km from Bangalore) and Sira, the only section on this stretch of the Golden Quadrilateral where the four-lane main carriageway is in place—fenced and protected on both sides by moats; pedestrian walkways are up; service roads and underpasses ready, and flowers bloom along the broad road divider.
Approved in April 2000, like the four other sections that make up the Tumkur-Hubli stretch, this 41.4-km stretch of the Golden Quadrilateral was sealed and delivered to the NHAI by contractors Larsen and Toubro a little after their November 2004 deadline, at the project cost of Rs 184 crore.
Exiting this stretch, drivers snap out of their Hubli-in-four-hours dream. The Sira-Chitradurga (66.7 km), the Chitradurga-Harihar (77 km) the Harihar-Haveri (56 km) and the Haveri-Hubli (64 km) stretches are a constant series of diversions between completed two lanes, under-construction flyovers, underpasses, bumpy roads, dust and ‘work in progress’ boards.
Deadlines have come and gone on more than two occasions but across the stretch only a little over 50 per cent of the work has been completed, making the roads a nightmare after dusk.
Take the Sira-Chitradurga patch. August 2004 was the original deadline for completion of the Rs 304-crore Asian Development Bank-funded project, being executed by a Malaysian-Indian joint venture between United Engineers of Malaysia and Essar, India. This deadline was extended to December 2005. While the main carriageway is more or less ready, the road will not be handed over to NHAI till June 2006.
The Chitradurga-Harihar stretch being implemented by the same consortium is worse. The original deadline of August 2004 was extended to December 2005, then to January 2006. Now the next deadline is June 2006. ‘‘We don’t expect completion at least till 2008,’’ says one worker.
The original estimated cost of Rs 318 crore has now risen over Rs 418 crore, says a representative of ICT Ltd, the supervisory consultants for the stretch.
‘‘The main carriageway will be ready by June 2006. There have been several hurdles. There have been several unforeseen changes incorporated. The fault lies with various people from local villagers, the NHAI to the contractor,’’ says the ICT official.
In one village along the highway, people refused to part with their land saying they had not been compensated when the original National Highway was built 20 years ago.
At another village, people produced the plan of a flyover in Japan and said an underpass would block airflow to the village.
In late 2004, the infrastructure and monitoring division of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation had squarely blamed the contractors for the poor progress (33 per cent then).
Like the Chitradurga-Harihar stretch, the Rs 204-crore Harihar-Haveri leg, also being implemented by UEM-Essar, has progressed painfully resulting in similar cost escalations.
With as many as 32 villages situated close to the highway between Chitradurga and Haveri, the contractors have reportedly had to change plans at as many as 52 points on this stretch.
The Haveri-Hubli stretch is slightly better off with at least two-way lanes functional along the entire route. But the section remains treacherous at night as evident from the sight of three major accidents involving trucks—two involving contractors’ trucks.
There are also two key bypasses on this Tumkur-Hubli stretch that are progressing at a snail’s pace.
The 13-km Tumkur bypass, work on which began in December 2001, was to have been completed by December 2003. The deadline was extended to February 2006. But only 60 per cent of work has been done and completion could well take another year.
The 18-km Chitradurga bypass, which is being constructed—like the Tumkur bypass—by contractors A L Sudershan and Co, since March 2002 has a similar story. Meant originally to have been completed bu August 2004, the project has received a new deadline of January 2006. Only 50 per cent of work has been done so far
The Sunday Express
BANGALORE, FEBRUARY 11: In central Karnataka, on the 342.4-km stretch between Tumkur and Hubli, on the Mumbai-Chennai leg of the Golden Quadrilateral project, there is a 20-minute period when car drivers think they can make it to Hubli well under four hours.
That 20-minute reverie occurs on a 41.4-km stretch between Tumkur (60 km from Bangalore) and Sira, the only section on this stretch of the Golden Quadrilateral where the four-lane main carriageway is in place—fenced and protected on both sides by moats; pedestrian walkways are up; service roads and underpasses ready, and flowers bloom along the broad road divider.
Approved in April 2000, like the four other sections that make up the Tumkur-Hubli stretch, this 41.4-km stretch of the Golden Quadrilateral was sealed and delivered to the NHAI by contractors Larsen and Toubro a little after their November 2004 deadline, at the project cost of Rs 184 crore.
Exiting this stretch, drivers snap out of their Hubli-in-four-hours dream. The Sira-Chitradurga (66.7 km), the Chitradurga-Harihar (77 km) the Harihar-Haveri (56 km) and the Haveri-Hubli (64 km) stretches are a constant series of diversions between completed two lanes, under-construction flyovers, underpasses, bumpy roads, dust and ‘work in progress’ boards.
Deadlines have come and gone on more than two occasions but across the stretch only a little over 50 per cent of the work has been completed, making the roads a nightmare after dusk.
Take the Sira-Chitradurga patch. August 2004 was the original deadline for completion of the Rs 304-crore Asian Development Bank-funded project, being executed by a Malaysian-Indian joint venture between United Engineers of Malaysia and Essar, India. This deadline was extended to December 2005. While the main carriageway is more or less ready, the road will not be handed over to NHAI till June 2006.
The Chitradurga-Harihar stretch being implemented by the same consortium is worse. The original deadline of August 2004 was extended to December 2005, then to January 2006. Now the next deadline is June 2006. ‘‘We don’t expect completion at least till 2008,’’ says one worker.
The original estimated cost of Rs 318 crore has now risen over Rs 418 crore, says a representative of ICT Ltd, the supervisory consultants for the stretch.
‘‘The main carriageway will be ready by June 2006. There have been several hurdles. There have been several unforeseen changes incorporated. The fault lies with various people from local villagers, the NHAI to the contractor,’’ says the ICT official.
In one village along the highway, people refused to part with their land saying they had not been compensated when the original National Highway was built 20 years ago.
At another village, people produced the plan of a flyover in Japan and said an underpass would block airflow to the village.
In late 2004, the infrastructure and monitoring division of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation had squarely blamed the contractors for the poor progress (33 per cent then).
Like the Chitradurga-Harihar stretch, the Rs 204-crore Harihar-Haveri leg, also being implemented by UEM-Essar, has progressed painfully resulting in similar cost escalations.
With as many as 32 villages situated close to the highway between Chitradurga and Haveri, the contractors have reportedly had to change plans at as many as 52 points on this stretch.
The Haveri-Hubli stretch is slightly better off with at least two-way lanes functional along the entire route. But the section remains treacherous at night as evident from the sight of three major accidents involving trucks—two involving contractors’ trucks.
There are also two key bypasses on this Tumkur-Hubli stretch that are progressing at a snail’s pace.
The 13-km Tumkur bypass, work on which began in December 2001, was to have been completed by December 2003. The deadline was extended to February 2006. But only 60 per cent of work has been done and completion could well take another year.
The 18-km Chitradurga bypass, which is being constructed—like the Tumkur bypass—by contractors A L Sudershan and Co, since March 2002 has a similar story. Meant originally to have been completed bu August 2004, the project has received a new deadline of January 2006. Only 50 per cent of work has been done so far
Friday, February 10, 2006
FM for ryots from UAS
FM for ryots from UAS
Deccan Herald
From Shyam Sundar Vattam DH News Service Hubli:
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, will be starting an FM station exclusively for farmers, some time in June 2006. With this, UAS, Dharwad will be a pioneer in the entire country.
The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, New Delhi has already allotted FM station to UAS, Dharwad and a formal approval is expected within one week. Thereafter, the University will call tenders for supplying the equipment required for setting up FM station and creation of other infrastructure. This will require about two months. The Ministry is yet to allot frequency for the proposed FM station and most likely it will become operational by June - the beginning of khariff season. To begin with, the frequency of the FM station will be 25 kms that would cover entire Dharwad taluk, parts of Navalgund, Hubli, Shiggaon and Kalghatgi.
Dr B S Nadgoudar, Director of Extension, UAS, Dharwad told Deccan Herald that the idea of having FM station was to respond to the needs and aspirations of farmers of Dharwad district, besides giving useful tips on various agricultural activities. The field officers of the university, who visit villages, come across so many problems and these will be redressed by scientists through FM station. The farmers will be advised on various aspects such as availability of seeds, organic farming, containing pest attack, types of crops suited for a particular region and tips on making agriculture profitable with little investment.
The channel will be dedicated to farmers, although agriculture students could also use it occasionally. For instance, a talk by Dr M S Swaminathan, an authority on agriculture, delivered in any part of the country will be recorded and broadcast on the university’s FM station for the benefit of students.
He said the university has earmarked Rs 18 lakh for the FM station. There was no problem of space, which was in plenty, and staff too were adequate. One or two staff members could double up as announcers. No additional costs were involved barring electricity charges. If the proposed FM station idea clicks, plans are afoot to have similar stations for 12 districts of Mumbai- Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka which come under UAS, Dharwad. This may take at least 2-3 years time.
Deccan Herald
From Shyam Sundar Vattam DH News Service Hubli:
University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, will be starting an FM station exclusively for farmers, some time in June 2006. With this, UAS, Dharwad will be a pioneer in the entire country.
The Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, New Delhi has already allotted FM station to UAS, Dharwad and a formal approval is expected within one week. Thereafter, the University will call tenders for supplying the equipment required for setting up FM station and creation of other infrastructure. This will require about two months. The Ministry is yet to allot frequency for the proposed FM station and most likely it will become operational by June - the beginning of khariff season. To begin with, the frequency of the FM station will be 25 kms that would cover entire Dharwad taluk, parts of Navalgund, Hubli, Shiggaon and Kalghatgi.
Dr B S Nadgoudar, Director of Extension, UAS, Dharwad told Deccan Herald that the idea of having FM station was to respond to the needs and aspirations of farmers of Dharwad district, besides giving useful tips on various agricultural activities. The field officers of the university, who visit villages, come across so many problems and these will be redressed by scientists through FM station. The farmers will be advised on various aspects such as availability of seeds, organic farming, containing pest attack, types of crops suited for a particular region and tips on making agriculture profitable with little investment.
The channel will be dedicated to farmers, although agriculture students could also use it occasionally. For instance, a talk by Dr M S Swaminathan, an authority on agriculture, delivered in any part of the country will be recorded and broadcast on the university’s FM station for the benefit of students.
He said the university has earmarked Rs 18 lakh for the FM station. There was no problem of space, which was in plenty, and staff too were adequate. One or two staff members could double up as announcers. No additional costs were involved barring electricity charges. If the proposed FM station idea clicks, plans are afoot to have similar stations for 12 districts of Mumbai- Karnataka and Hyderabad-Karnataka which come under UAS, Dharwad. This may take at least 2-3 years time.
ISKCON temple consecration in Hubli on February 12
ISKCON temple consecration in Hubli on February 12
newindpress.com
Thursday February 9 2006
HUBLI: A part of the newly constructed ISKCON temple at Rayapur will be open to devotees from February 12. It will take another five years for the temple built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) at a cost of Rs 26.5 crore to be ready.
Rajiv Lochan Dasa, ISKCON branch head, Hubli-Dharwad told reporters here on Wednesday that the temple coming up in 8.5 acres over the Rayapur hillock would be a landmark in North Karnataka. The idol of Lord Krishna will be shifted to the new temple from the present premises in Lingaraj Nagar on February 12.
The consecration ceremony will begin at 9:30 am with a grand abhishekha.
Former deputy chief minister M P Prakash, chairman of Akshaya Patra and President ISKCON, Bangalore Madu Pandit Dasa will be present at the inauguration.
The new temple at Rayapur will house an ultra-modern ‘Akshaya Patra’, kitchen with cooking facility for 2 lakh people at a time. Besides a meditation hall, a cascade and fountain will be added attractions.
At present, ISKCON is feeding 80,000 underprivileged children in government schools under the Akshaya Patra mid-day meal scheme in Hubli and Dharwad.
The scheme would support bright young children from poor backgrounds by providing scholarships, improving infrastructure in schools and imparting training to government school teachers to come up to the standards maintained by private school teachers from the next academic year.
Suvindhyendra Thirtha Sripadangalu of Mantralayam will participate in the ISKCON’s fourth Ratha Yatra in Hubli on February 11.
The same Yatra will be taken out in Dharwad on February 18.
The Ratha Yatra’ of various attractive spiritual floats, singers, musicians, dancers and school children in costumes depicting characters and themes from the Vedas and Puranas will pass through all important roads of the twin cities, he added.
newindpress.com
Thursday February 9 2006
HUBLI: A part of the newly constructed ISKCON temple at Rayapur will be open to devotees from February 12. It will take another five years for the temple built by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) at a cost of Rs 26.5 crore to be ready.
Rajiv Lochan Dasa, ISKCON branch head, Hubli-Dharwad told reporters here on Wednesday that the temple coming up in 8.5 acres over the Rayapur hillock would be a landmark in North Karnataka. The idol of Lord Krishna will be shifted to the new temple from the present premises in Lingaraj Nagar on February 12.
The consecration ceremony will begin at 9:30 am with a grand abhishekha.
Former deputy chief minister M P Prakash, chairman of Akshaya Patra and President ISKCON, Bangalore Madu Pandit Dasa will be present at the inauguration.
The new temple at Rayapur will house an ultra-modern ‘Akshaya Patra’, kitchen with cooking facility for 2 lakh people at a time. Besides a meditation hall, a cascade and fountain will be added attractions.
At present, ISKCON is feeding 80,000 underprivileged children in government schools under the Akshaya Patra mid-day meal scheme in Hubli and Dharwad.
The scheme would support bright young children from poor backgrounds by providing scholarships, improving infrastructure in schools and imparting training to government school teachers to come up to the standards maintained by private school teachers from the next academic year.
Suvindhyendra Thirtha Sripadangalu of Mantralayam will participate in the ISKCON’s fourth Ratha Yatra in Hubli on February 11.
The same Yatra will be taken out in Dharwad on February 18.
The Ratha Yatra’ of various attractive spiritual floats, singers, musicians, dancers and school children in costumes depicting characters and themes from the Vedas and Puranas will pass through all important roads of the twin cities, he added.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Twin cities beckon filmmakers
Twin cities beckon filmmakers
Newindpress.com
Wednesday February 8 2006
HUBLI: The twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad, are slowly becoming safe and attractive, for shooting Kannada movies.
Earlier, only a few low-budget film producers shot their movies in some areas of Hubli-Dharwad very rarely, that too out of love for North Karnataka.
Though many well-known theatre artistes like Janapeeta awardee Girish Karnad, Suresh Heblikar etc, had their roots in the region, particularly in Hubli-Dharwad, many producers preferred to stay away from the twin cities.
Only a few film personalities including renowned Kannada film director, Puttana Kanagal, ventured into shooting a few scenes of his movie ‘Dharani Mandal Mandalmadhydolage’ during 1982-83 in Dharwad, Lokesh and Srinath starrer ‘Pattanakke Banda Patniyaru, some sequences of ‘Minchina Vota’ starring Ananthnag and Shankarnag, etc., were shot in Hubli-Dharwad.
For many years, producers came to Hubli-Dharwad for shooting art flicks. However, the trend of tapping available potential of the twin cities particularly Hubli, for commercial films kicked off after the shooting of a popular song ‘Huttidare Kannadanadalli Huttabeku’ of ‘Akasmika’ film, starring Dr Rajkumar, in Hubli, a decade ago.
‘Akasmika’, a big hit, started drawing the attention of film producers of who had confined themselves to Bangalore and other metros.
Subsequently, actor-turned-politician, B C Patil camped in Hubli-Dharwad for a week to shoot his movie ‘Surya IPS’. Inspired by its success, he also shot another movie ‘Hattur Odeya’ in Hubli and Dharwad.
Following the same, film producers, fed up with traffic chaos, uncontrolled mob and other practical problems in Bangalore, started eyeing the twin cities.
In the last few years, films of most popular heros, including hat-trick hero Shivarajkumar’s 75th film ‘Sriram’, Ambrish-starrer ‘Annavaru’, Darshan starrer ‘Ayya’, and others, were shot in important locales of Hubli.
Punith starrer ‘Ajaya’, under the Rockline production banner, is being shot in Hubli and Dharwad.
Producers are not only using Hubli-Dharwad for shooting, many have already made use of Hubli as a launching pad for release of audio cassettes of their films.
It was film star Sudeep who first started the trend of releasing audio cassettes from Hubli instead of Bangalore, by releasing his first production film, ‘Swati Muttu’.
Inspired by the same, audio cassettes of ‘Kutumba’ with Upendra in the lead role, were released from Hubli. Recently, Kannada blockbuster ‘Jogi’’s audio cassettes were released in a grand function in Hubli.
Going a step ahead, a producer has named his new movie ‘Hubballi’, in which Sudeep is playing a lead role.
Not surprisingly, most of the movies being shot in Hubli-Dharwad, have become hits at the box-office.
Newindpress.com
Wednesday February 8 2006
HUBLI: The twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad, are slowly becoming safe and attractive, for shooting Kannada movies.
Earlier, only a few low-budget film producers shot their movies in some areas of Hubli-Dharwad very rarely, that too out of love for North Karnataka.
Though many well-known theatre artistes like Janapeeta awardee Girish Karnad, Suresh Heblikar etc, had their roots in the region, particularly in Hubli-Dharwad, many producers preferred to stay away from the twin cities.
Only a few film personalities including renowned Kannada film director, Puttana Kanagal, ventured into shooting a few scenes of his movie ‘Dharani Mandal Mandalmadhydolage’ during 1982-83 in Dharwad, Lokesh and Srinath starrer ‘Pattanakke Banda Patniyaru, some sequences of ‘Minchina Vota’ starring Ananthnag and Shankarnag, etc., were shot in Hubli-Dharwad.
For many years, producers came to Hubli-Dharwad for shooting art flicks. However, the trend of tapping available potential of the twin cities particularly Hubli, for commercial films kicked off after the shooting of a popular song ‘Huttidare Kannadanadalli Huttabeku’ of ‘Akasmika’ film, starring Dr Rajkumar, in Hubli, a decade ago.
‘Akasmika’, a big hit, started drawing the attention of film producers of who had confined themselves to Bangalore and other metros.
Subsequently, actor-turned-politician, B C Patil camped in Hubli-Dharwad for a week to shoot his movie ‘Surya IPS’. Inspired by its success, he also shot another movie ‘Hattur Odeya’ in Hubli and Dharwad.
Following the same, film producers, fed up with traffic chaos, uncontrolled mob and other practical problems in Bangalore, started eyeing the twin cities.
In the last few years, films of most popular heros, including hat-trick hero Shivarajkumar’s 75th film ‘Sriram’, Ambrish-starrer ‘Annavaru’, Darshan starrer ‘Ayya’, and others, were shot in important locales of Hubli.
Punith starrer ‘Ajaya’, under the Rockline production banner, is being shot in Hubli and Dharwad.
Producers are not only using Hubli-Dharwad for shooting, many have already made use of Hubli as a launching pad for release of audio cassettes of their films.
It was film star Sudeep who first started the trend of releasing audio cassettes from Hubli instead of Bangalore, by releasing his first production film, ‘Swati Muttu’.
Inspired by the same, audio cassettes of ‘Kutumba’ with Upendra in the lead role, were released from Hubli. Recently, Kannada blockbuster ‘Jogi’’s audio cassettes were released in a grand function in Hubli.
Going a step ahead, a producer has named his new movie ‘Hubballi’, in which Sudeep is playing a lead role.
Not surprisingly, most of the movies being shot in Hubli-Dharwad, have become hits at the box-office.
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Stress on protecting Dharwad lakes
Stress on protecting Dharwad lakes
Newindpress.com
Wednesday February 1 2006
DHARWAD: Da Ra Bendre’s literary works should be preserved, opined Dr U R Ananthmurthy, Gnanapeeth awardee.
He was speaking at the ‘Ambikathanayadatta’ national award and fellowship presentation ceremony organised by Da Ra Bendre Rashtriya Trust, in connection with Bendre’s 110th birth anniversary here on Tuesday.
Ananthmurthy underscored the need for protecting the lakes of Dharwad, which had been the perennial source of inspiration for the poet, and now the same lakes were on the verge of extinction in the city, he said.
The Bendre Trust had to work on the lines of Kuvempu Trust, a trust constituted to look after the locality that inspired poet Kuvempu, because it was the lakes of Dharwad that inspired Bendre to write epics like ‘Sakhigeetha’ and ‘Nakuthanthee’, he added.
While examining the works of Bendre, he said concepts like ‘imperfect understanding’ and ‘egotism sublime’ were unparallaled when compared with works of great poets of 20th century like William Blake and Wordsworth.
Disorder and nostalgia of the mind had always been the spirit and driving force for Bendre to write eternal poems, he added.
Recalling life with Bendre, G S Amur, critic, said Bendre had never opposed criticism in the right spirit and was a guide and philosopher for young writers.
Dr M M Kalburgi, president of the Bendre Trust urged the state government to assist the Trust with more financial support.
The annual grant presently given by the state was about Rs 1 lakh, which was not enough for undertaking various novel programmes in commemoration of Bendre, he added.
Karnataka Sangha of Shimoga and G S Amur, critic, were given ‘Ambikathanayadatta national award’ which has a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a bronze statue of the poet in recognition of their service rendered to preserve and spread the values propogated by poet, Bendre.
Gundanna Kalburgi, Vithal Rao Gaikwad, Dr Shridhar Bhadran Hegde and Dr Veena Kulkarni, were presented the Bendre fellowships for research work on Bendre’s work.
On the occasion, a website prepared by SDM Engineering College, Dharwad, on Bendre’s life and literary works, was inaugurated by H V Sudhakar, Principal of the engineering college.
Panduranga Udupa, president of Karnataka Sangha, Shimoga, spoke on the occasion.
Shyam Sunder Bidarakundi, Chennaveera Kanavi, Giraddi Govindaraj, Siddalinga Pattana Shetty and Veena Shantheshwar, were present.
Newindpress.com
Wednesday February 1 2006
DHARWAD: Da Ra Bendre’s literary works should be preserved, opined Dr U R Ananthmurthy, Gnanapeeth awardee.
He was speaking at the ‘Ambikathanayadatta’ national award and fellowship presentation ceremony organised by Da Ra Bendre Rashtriya Trust, in connection with Bendre’s 110th birth anniversary here on Tuesday.
Ananthmurthy underscored the need for protecting the lakes of Dharwad, which had been the perennial source of inspiration for the poet, and now the same lakes were on the verge of extinction in the city, he said.
The Bendre Trust had to work on the lines of Kuvempu Trust, a trust constituted to look after the locality that inspired poet Kuvempu, because it was the lakes of Dharwad that inspired Bendre to write epics like ‘Sakhigeetha’ and ‘Nakuthanthee’, he added.
While examining the works of Bendre, he said concepts like ‘imperfect understanding’ and ‘egotism sublime’ were unparallaled when compared with works of great poets of 20th century like William Blake and Wordsworth.
Disorder and nostalgia of the mind had always been the spirit and driving force for Bendre to write eternal poems, he added.
Recalling life with Bendre, G S Amur, critic, said Bendre had never opposed criticism in the right spirit and was a guide and philosopher for young writers.
Dr M M Kalburgi, president of the Bendre Trust urged the state government to assist the Trust with more financial support.
The annual grant presently given by the state was about Rs 1 lakh, which was not enough for undertaking various novel programmes in commemoration of Bendre, he added.
Karnataka Sangha of Shimoga and G S Amur, critic, were given ‘Ambikathanayadatta national award’ which has a cash prize of Rs 25,000 and a bronze statue of the poet in recognition of their service rendered to preserve and spread the values propogated by poet, Bendre.
Gundanna Kalburgi, Vithal Rao Gaikwad, Dr Shridhar Bhadran Hegde and Dr Veena Kulkarni, were presented the Bendre fellowships for research work on Bendre’s work.
On the occasion, a website prepared by SDM Engineering College, Dharwad, on Bendre’s life and literary works, was inaugurated by H V Sudhakar, Principal of the engineering college.
Panduranga Udupa, president of Karnataka Sangha, Shimoga, spoke on the occasion.
Shyam Sunder Bidarakundi, Chennaveera Kanavi, Giraddi Govindaraj, Siddalinga Pattana Shetty and Veena Shantheshwar, were present.
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