Address infrastructure needs of twin cities

‘Address infrastructure needs of twin cities’

Staff Correspondent - The Hindu

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Rs. 3,500 crore needed for Hubli, Dharwad: Savadatti

IT SEZ, agro-tech park between twin cities favoured

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DHARWAD: Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar has said that the development of Hubli and Dharwad will lead to the growth of surrounding areas in the region.

He was speaking on the development requirements of the twin cities at “AHead”, an interaction programme on comprehensive development strategy for Hubli-Dharwad at the Srujana Auditorium here on Friday. Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa inaugurated the programme.

From the need for improving the drinking water supply system to making the twin cities the next IT destination, Mr. Shettar threw light on various infrastructure demands of Hubli and Dharwad.

Mr. Shettar stressed the need for having a ring road around Hubli and Dharwad, four-lane between Hubli and Dharwad, improving the drainage system and developing the interior roads in the twin cities, which were in bad shape.

“There is a need to implement development programmes with the objective of making Hubli-Dharwad a mega city. In this regard, infrastructure needs should be addressed initially,” he said.

Making a presentation on the requirements, M.I. Savadatti, Chairman of the Citizens’ Advisory Committee, said the twin cities required investments to the tune of Rs. 3,500 crore for overall development.

Underscoring the need for a planned development, Prof. Savadatti said the twin cities needed Rs. 120 crore for improving social infrastructure.

Making a presentation on the Hubli-Dharwad Development Agenda, Ashok Shettar, Principal of B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology, said that absence of large-scale industries and closure of small-scale industries had led to stagnation in the economic growth and employment opportunities in Hubli-Dharwad.

Prof. Shettar stressed the need for setting up an IT SEZ and agro-tech park between Hubli and Dharwad. A large talent pool was available in the region and steps should be taken to retain them by attracting investors to the region.

Veteran journalist Patil Puttappa urged the Chief Minister to put an end to the growth of Bangalore. This would facilitate the growth of other urban areas in the State. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Suresh Kumar said that the Government would take steps to allocate funds for the projects aimed at the development of twin cities.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Viranna Mattikatti spoke.

Yeddyurappa doles out several promises for Hubli-Dharwad

Yeddyurappa doles out several promises for Hubli-Dharwad

Staff Correspondent -The Hindu

Government to invest Rs. 2,966 crore in six years in the twin cities

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IT SEZ to come up between Hubli and Dharwad

Scheme to develop seven cities in State

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Development agenda: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar inaugurating the interaction programme on Comprehensive Development Strategy for Hubli-Dharwad, in Dharwad on Friday.

DHARWAD: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa has said that the State Government has plans to invest Rs. 2,966 crore in six years for infrastructure in Hubli-Dharwad.

The Chief Minister made this announcement after inaugurating the interaction on the Comprehensive Development Strategy (CDS) for Hubli-Dharwad “AHead” in which experts presented their views on the strategy for development of the twin cities.

Mr. Yeddyurappa said the government would release a special grant of Rs. 100 crore for the development of traffic management system, slums and storm water drains and implementation of the solid waste management scheme. He said the Government would invest Rs. 160 crores under the North Karnataka Urban Sector Investment Programme for development of roads and the drainage system in the twin cities.

Equitable development

Mr. Yeddyurappa said: “Our Government wants to ensure equitable development across the State.”

The Chief Minister said: “Before I present the Budget on July 17, similar programmes on development in seven cities outside Bangalore (including Hubli-Dharwad) would be conducted. The outcome of the discussions on development of these cities would be incorporated in the Budget.” Mr Yeddyurappa said that he would be holding a similar programme in Gulbarga on Saturday followed by Belgaum, Bellary, Davangere, Mysore and Mangalore.

The Chief Minister said a high-level committee would be set up to look into the suggestions received during the discussions on development of these cities.

He said the Government had plans to invest Rs. 100 crore for converting the road between Hubli and Dharwad into a four-lane one and the work would be handed over to Karnataka Road Development Corporation.

He said a ring road connecting the National Highway no. 4, no. 63 and no. 218 would be constructed to streamline vehicular movement.

He also promised to release Rs 136 crore in a phased manner for the implementation of the third stage of Malaprabha Drinking Water Project.

The Chief Minister said apart from expediting the work on the Arybhata IT Park in the twin cities, the Government would take steps to set up an IT Special Economic Zone in between Hubli and Dharwad. A Kannada Bhavan would be constructed in Hubli.