Hubli-Ankola railway line in a limbo

Hubli-Ankola railway line in a limbo

TNN 29 December 2009, 10:27pm IST

HUBLI: The state government will have to provide a very strong argument in favour of building the Hubli-Ankola railway link if it wants the Union forest ministry to clear the project, a senior forest officer said here on Monday.

Dr P B Gangopadhyaya, additional director general of forests, who headed a team that inspected forest areas meant to be cleared for building the railway line, told MP Prahlad Joshi that the forest ministry was open-minded about the project.

"All these years, it has been straight and simple. The project was not cleared as it would damage trees and wildlife in one of the most pristine ecosystems in the country," Gangopadhyaya said.

According to him, the state government and the railways' only argument was that it would help carry iron ore to the Tadadi, Bilikere and Karwar ports. But this was not convincing as market fluctuations can push down the demand for ore in international markets.

"However, if the state government makes other, stronger arguments like it'll help developing backward areas in the state, then the ministry of environment and forests and the Supreme Court centrally empowered committee that are looking into the issue would take a balanced view of the issue, he said.

He welcomed Joshi's idea that building a railway line and diverting traffic and freight transport on to the line would cause less environment damage than doubling national highways in Karwar district. He asked state government and railway officials to record these facts in an affidavit before the apex court and back them by supporting documents.

The project was planned a decade ago. However, it was rejected by the forest ministry four times in the past. Later in 2007, environmentalists challenged the project, saying it would destroy large-green patches in the western ghats, one of the bio-diversity hotspots in the world.

The SC has now referred the matter to a centrally-empowered committee. The CEC is supposed to inspect the project very soon.

Preparations on for investors meet: Nirani

Preparations on for investors meet: Nirani

Express News Service 28 Dec 2009 11:28:56 AM IST

HUBLI: Major and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said that preparations are on for the two-day global investors meet scheduled from June 3 in Banglaore.

He told reporters here on Sunday that the Vision Group, led by Infosys CEO Kris Gopalkrishanan, was taking all aspects in global industrial scene and investment environment into account while preparing for the meet. He said his ministry was planning to acquire 50,000 acres of dry and nonagricultural land to develop industrial layouts with infrastructure.

These layouts would also comprise residential townships with all amenities including schools and markets, he added. Encouraged by the success of industrial adalats held in all five divisions this year, the ministry is planning to organise such adalats again next year between January 5 and 30. Already, 80 per cent of individual and sector-related grievances have been resolved. Holding such adalats again may help in resolving the complaints fully. The adalats would be held at district level after February, he added.

Nirani said that out 52 proposals of setting up special economic zones (SEZ) in the state, the Centre has given approval for 24.

Mamata launches three intercity Express trains

Mamata launches three intercity Express trains

TNN 9 December 2009, 02:43am IST

BANGALORE: Railway minister Mamata Banerjee brought a bagful of gifts for

Karnataka's passengers.

On Tuesday, she flagged off three major intercity expresses here -- Bangalore-Shimoga Intercity Express, Yeshwantpur-Mysore Express and Yeshwantpur-Solapur Golgumbaz Tri-weekly Express. She inaugurated the renovated Tumkur and Dharmapuri stations and introduced the solid-state interlocking system at Bangalore City station.

And the icing on the cake was a surprise -- a Duronto (non-stop superfast express) from Bangalore to Howrah to be introduced soon.

Promises galore

During the holiday season, 2,872 special trains will be introduced for students to go home and 4,326 additional coaches to manage the holiday rush.

She announced four extensions for towns not connected properly. Bangalore - Hubli Intercity Express will go to Dharwad, Tirupati-Mysore Express will connect Chamarajanagar and will be announced shortly, Yeshwantpur-Mangalore Express will connect Kannur and Mumbai-Karwar, a Konkan railway train, will connect Mangalore.

Mamata, seemingly impressed by the scenic beauty of Karnataka, said "Bangalore is the air-conditioned city, very environment friendly and clean. I like Bangalore very much and am delighted to be here." Mamata said three new trains which were part of the budget have been announced, but three to four more are still left to be implemented. About 21 stations are currently being developed by South Western Railway. These include Hubli, Yelahanka, Hindupur, Hassan, Tiptur, Vasco da Gama, Belgaum, Dharwad and Ranebennur.

"We have a responsibility towards students. They should go home during their holidays, which are as short as 15 days. All the 2,872 trains are especially for them and will reduce the holiday rush," she added. Karnataka shares the maximum cost for speedy completion of projects, which sometimes goes up to 75% of the project budget, and appreciated the state for this.

Automobile hub

The Automobile Hub Association proposed 10 automobile hubs in the country, one of them already launched in Howrah on railway land. "Nine more will be built on railway land. Two can be in Bangalore and Mangalore. They have agreed to this," said Mamata.

PPP model

"The port, the coal belt and the industrial belt need to be connected. It is helpful for the masses and the industry," Mamata said. Karnataka will do a feasibility study and submit the proposal by January 2010, according to chief minister, B S Yedyurappa who was present at the event.

Mamata said that she was open to rail connectivity between Kolkata and Bangladesh because as neighbours they are close and have many similarities. However, the proposal needs to be developed and scrutinized.

ArcelorMittal plans steel plant in state

ArcelorMittal plans steel plant in state

TNN 28 November 2009, 05:12am IST

BANGALORE: The world’s largest steel producer ArcelorMittal shortlisted five districts in northern Karnataka for its proposed steel plant involving an investment of Rs 30,000 crore.

The project will require 4,000 acres of land. The state has steel zones in Bijapur, Bagalkot, Koppal, Dharwad and Bellary, and the plant is proposed to be located in one of them. If finalized, the project will be one of the largest in the state. ArcelorMittal chief executive Vijay Bhatnagar told mediapersons, “We have shortlisted some sites after a survey. We’ll get into details now.’’

A team of ArcelorMittal officials met chief minister B S Yeddyurappa and industries minister Murugesh Nirani here on Friday. Yeddyurappa said ArcelorMittal came forward to set up a steel plant and trading activities in the state. The proposal, he said, is to invest around Rs 30,000 crore in the first phase to establish a 6 million tonne per annum integrated steel plant and a captive 750 MW power plant.

The projects are expected to generate employment for 10,000 people, said Bhatnagar, also CEO of ArcelorMittal China operations.

In a separate release, company chairman L N Mittal was quoted as saying, “Our team had a constructive and positive meeting in response to an invitation from the Karnataka government. Karnataka is one of the most progressive states in India and therefore is an ideal place to build a world-class steel plant.

Britain looks beyond Bangalore for biz 'gold' in tier II cities

Britain looks beyond Bangalore for biz 'gold' in tier II cities

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Bangalore September 04, 2009, 0:12 IST

The tier II cities’ story continues to thrive. The British government sees them as ‘lands’ of opportunities. Britain is keen on getting investors from Britain to look at tier II cities in the Karnataka and facilitate this has opened a British Deputy Commission in Bangalore.

The new centre would cover a whole range of British government activity in the State, including business, trade and investment and science and technology, British Deputy High Commissioner here, Richard Hyde, said. The deputy high commission will not issue visas, but will only facilitate relationships in science, BT and technology.

Hyde said the British High Commission has had a presence here for 15 years, establishing the British Trade Office in 1994 and developing a strong commercial relationship.

As part of the efforts to understand the tier II cities in the state, UK deputy high commissioner Richard Hyde has visited the smaller cities like Mangalore, Hubli, Belgaum among other cities to understand them and check out the investor-friendliness of the cities. The huge number of engineers produced in the state is a big draw, said an official from the high commission.

Meanwhile, officials from the high commission said that the Indo-UK bilateral trade which was around Pound 10 billion in 2008, may see a decline this year, because of the global slowdown. Hyde said, “It’s been a difficult year. In the present market environment, anything is an achievement. But we want to increase the trade,” Hyde said.

Karnataka tops IT export charts, with tier-II cities revenue touching Rs 2,423 crore

Karnataka tops IT export charts, with tier- II cities revenue touching Rs 2,423 crore

2 Sep 2009, 1044 hrs IST, ET Bureau

BANGALORE: Karnataka extended its lead as the country’s top destination for software exports by registering around 23% annual growth and achieving Rs 74,929 crore worth of IT and ITES exports during year ended March 2009.

“We have not fallen behind... and we are expecting exports of Rs 100,000 crore by the end of this fiscal,” said, state IT & BT minister Katta Subramanya Naidu. On a comparative basis, IT and BPO exports from the country for FY09 stood at Rs 2,22,360 crore recording a Yo-Y growth of 21%. Though, other competing states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra have recorded marginally higher growth rates than Karnataka, their base have been comparatively smaller.

The share of Karnataka in the national exports stood at 34%. The FY09 fiscal also saw 84 new units registering with the STPI. “There is enough interest in the new units locating in the designated zones with many of them opting for the special economic zone (SEZ) scheme,” said R Rajalakshmi, director, STPI.

The exports from the SEZ have also seen a very rapid growth touching Rs 4,554 crore for FY09, reflecting a Y-o-Y growth of 250%. The number of people employed by the industry in Karnataka stood at 5.54 lakh in FY09 as against 5.2 lakh in FY08.

However, the hardware exports from Karnataka dipped by 6.8% on a Y-o-Y basis to touch revenue of Rs 2,889 crore for FY09. The performance of the tier-II cities namely Mysore, Mangalore and Hubli on a combined basis has been 45% with revenue touching Rs 2,423 crore.

Nrupatunga all set to beckon picnickers

Nrupatunga all set to beckon picnickers

Vincent D'Souza, TNN 31 August 2009, 10:21pm IST

HUBLI: It's time to make some changes in your weekly schedule now. For, the picturesque Nrupatunga Hill - standing tall on the north-eastern fringes of the commercial city - is getting spruced up to provide a perfect destination for lovelorn souls, children, joggers and sightseers.

The 15-acre sprawling hilltop has been landscaped with inter-locking tiled pathway flanked by flower and ornamental plants, green turf and attractive streetlights.

A wooden-like cement fencing alongside the pathway, chirping of birds nesting on trees, dummies of animals and birds, colourful butterflies, artificial waterfall and fountains give a wild touch to the garden. The presence of century-old Syed Hazrat Shah Khadri dargah and Revu Mata Temple in one corner of the hill give religious touch. The children's park, rock gardens and canteen make it an ideal picnic spot.

The entrance is marked by a huge gate flanked by red wall with artificial tree lowering on top of the gate. A circular ticket counter is coming up near the entrance. Visitors can rest on the benches placed all over the garden. Attractive dustbins will help the garden to be litter-free.

The hillock provides a panoramic view of KSCA cricket stadium in Rajnagar, BVB College, Naveen Hotel, KIMS campus, Gangubai Hangal Music Academy, Hubli APMC, Hubli Airport and Unkal Lake which are miles away.

C V Manjunath of Dharwad Nirmiti Kendra, who is in charge of the development works there, said 95% of the works have been completed and the park will be open to visitors in a week's time.

He said an entry fee of Rs 10 or 15 will be collected from the visitors for the upkeep of the only picnic spot in the city. He said the monthly maintenance cost of the park, involving power, gardening, and security runs up to Rs 1.50 lakh.

Tata Motors assures Karnataka it is in race for second Nano plant

Tata Motors assures Karnataka it is in race for second Nano plant

Business Standard September 01, 2009, 1:04 IST

Bangalore: Karnataka may have narrowly lost the race for housing Tata Motors’ Nano car plant but that is not stopping the southern state from nursing ambitions of winning the second round of the same race. It was late last year when Tata Motors announced that it would set up the first plant for producing the Rs 1-lakh car at Gujarat’s Sanand rather than Karnataka’s Dharwad, among other places.

Now, if all goes well, Karnataka will get a chance to play host to Tata Motors’ proposed second Nano car plant in South India. The state government has been assured by the company that Dharwad will be a preferred choice for the company’s plans to expand its Nano manufacturing capacity into South India.

The state government, in turn, has assured the company that it will provide the required land as well as tax concessions, similar to those offered by the Gujarat government, for setting up the second Nano car plant, Karnataka minister for medium and large industries Murugesh R Nirani said.

“When Tata Motors initially came to inspect Dharwad, we had offered them 600 acres within 24 hours and had assured another 400 acres in three months. But the company chose to go to Gujarat for reasons best known to them. However, they have told us, for expansion of their Nano car capacity, they will consider Dharwad and we have promised them all possible help,” he told Business Standard.

Nirani added the state government recently acquired 2,500 acres at Dharwad, adjacent to the existing Tata Motors’ bus plant, where the company had intended to set up the Nano plant. Tata Motors had indicated a requirement of around 1,000 acres.

“We have already discussed this with the company’s higher officials. They have plans to set up one more plant in South India for producing the Nano car and they want to do it in Dharwad because it is closer to Pune, where they have a major presence. Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata has invited us for further talks in this regard and we will soon meet him,” Nirani said.

Tata is currently manufacturing the Nano at their plant in Pantnagar. Its dedicated Nano car plant will be operational at Sanand in Gujarat by early 2010.

At Dharwad, Tata Motors currently operates two plants to manufacture construction equipment under the Telcon brand name. It also produces buses in a joint venture with Brazil’s Marcopolo. So far, it has acquired 600 acres and employs around 3,500 workers in both the plants. The company has invested close to Rs 500 crore in its bus plant, which started commercial production in January this year.

In addition to Tata’s Nano car plant, the state government is also in talks with Korea’s car maker Hyundai Motors and the domestic utility vehicle major, Mahindra and Mahindra, for locating their new plants in Karnataka.

Recently, the state government approved an additional investment proposal of Rs 800 crore by Toyota Kirloskar Motors at Bidadi, near Bangalore. The government is also planning to hold a special meeting with the automobile industry very soon in Bangalore, as a precursor to its forthcoming global investors’ meet scheduled to be held in January 2010, Nirani added.

College evolves strategy to improve traffic management

College evolves strategy to improve traffic management
Times News Network, 19 August 2009, 10:17pm IST

DHARWAD: The SDM College of Engineering and Technology's (SDMCET) civil engineering department has evolved three-phased strategies to improve the traffic management in the twin cities of Hubli-Dharwad.

The study conducted by the M.Tech students of SDMCET under the World Bank aided Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP) in association with NITK-Suratkal has revealed that the number of vehicles in the twin cities has gone up by 150 fold in the last 50 years while the roads have just seen an eight-fold development.

Making a presentation of the survey findings, NITK professors Ravi Mulangi and Ravishankar said widening of roads, construction of footpaths, fly overs, ring roads, encouraging use of public transportation, providing space for bus bays and parking lots, shifting of city bus terminus and strict enforcement of traffic rules were the solutions to ease traffic congestion. Ravi Mulangi made an elaborate presentation of various junctions in the twin cities where traffic snarls are a regular feature.

During the interaction that followed among the senior officers of various departments, elected representatives and other stake holders agreed that there was need for proper coordination among all the agencies.

Police commissioner Raghavendra Auradkar said the police though the main enforcing agency had financial constraint to put the entire traffic system in order. He pointed out that enforcement would be possible only when other agencies like NWKRTC, Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and RTO discharged their part of duty in enforcement effectively.

Stating that the police while trying to educate the people on traffic rules would be tough on offenders and punishment would educate the offenders.

He appealed to the elected representatives to prevail upon the government to spare some funds out of the Rs 100 crore specially sanctioned to the twin cities for installing gadgets related to traffic management.

HDMC commissioner P S Vastrad said there was no problem of coordination among different agencies and assured that HDMC would support the measures taken by the police in ensuring effective traffic system.

DC Darpan Jain said a comprehensive plan for traffic and transportation was being prepared for the twin cities. He observed that of late due consideration for traffic management is being given while discussing development plans.

Project coordinator Mahesh Patil, ACP (Traffic) Sanjiv Patil, MLA Veerabhadrappa Halaharvi, HDUDA chairman Datta Dorle, NWKRTC chairman Mallikarjun Sawkar, officials from RTO, NWKRTC and KUIDFC spoke on the occasion.

Financial reforms improve water supply in twin cities

Financial reforms improve water supply in twin cities
M L Kapur, TNN 18 August 2009, 10:22pm IST

HUBLI: When Karnataka Urban Water Supply & Drainage Board (KUWSDB) was handed over maintenance and operation of water supply in Hubli-Dharwad municipal limits during the drought in 2003, the residents used to get drinking water once in 10-14 days. Six years down the line, they get it once in 4-5 days.

During the same period, while KUWS&DBs expenditure has increased from Rs 10.88 crore to Rs 17.13 crore, its revenue has shot up from Rs 3.61 crore to Rs 17.81 crore, thus generating surplus funds for expanding water supply network to uncovered areas like the newly developed extensions.

In 2003, none of the 69,000 consumers had metered connection. Today, 65% of over one lakh connections have metered supply. Those who chose to pay their water bills then had to wait for over one hour in the queue to make payment. Now, they can do it in less than 30 minutes at the neighbourhood cash centre.

Earlier, consumers had to get prior approval of the authorities before making part payment of outstanding bills. Now, part payment is allowed without prior approval. Consumers have been issued bar coded I-cards, which allows them to make payment without even producing the bills.

These are some of the IT-enabled citizen-friendly initiatives introduced by the Water Board which have enabled it to bring about metamorphic improvement in water supply scenario in the twin cities. These financial reforms have helped it bag the National Urban Water Award-2009, given by the central ministry of urban development.

KUWS&DB executive engineer K P Jayaram, who has been at the helms in the twin cities all through this trying period, gave a presentation before the awards ceremony in New Delhi, for possible replication by other urban local bodies across the country. Union urban development minister Jaipal Reddy also witnessed the presentation.

Jayaram told 'TOI' that there are plans to introduce self-billing, whereby consumers will record meter reading, visit the nearest computerized collection centre, pay the bill after the system automatically calculated the amount, and walk away. Online bill payment facility is also in the offing. It will do away with human errors/ malpractices and improve revenue collection.

Karnataka govt plans 300-km steel corridor

Karnataka govt plans 300-km steel corridor

T E Narasimhan / Chennai August 10, 2009, 0:02 IST

The Karnataka government is planning to develop a 300-km ‘steel corridor’, and the state expects this project to attract investments worth Rs 20,000 crore from steel majors. The corridor, which is expected to create 200,000 direct and indirect jobs, is planned around the iron ore-rich Bellary-Hospet area in eastern Karnataka.

Speaking to Business Standard on the sidelines of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)’s Suminfra 2009 meet, V Madhu, principal secretary (infrastructure development), said the state wanted to move from just exporting ore to value-added production of steel.

Mining and steel majors including NMDC, Tata Steel, JSW and Brahmani have evinced interest in the project. The idea is that each steel manufacturer could erect a manufacturing unit of at least two million tonne, he said.

Work on a 120-kilometre rail link between Hubli and Ankola and identification of 500 square kilometre of land for the industrial park is already on. Tenders for development of the park will be floated in two months, he added.

Madhu said the government also wanted a nuclear power unit in the corridor. “We met the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, and gave our recommendation to set up a nuclear plant at Tadri. ” The government is also promoting a port at Tadri on the west coast,” he said.

IT firm in Aryabhatta Park to take off in Aug

IT firm in Aryabhatta Park to take off in Aug
TNN 8 July 2009, 10:21pm IST

HUBLI: The IT dreams of the twin-cities may be a reality soon. The first ever IT company to occupy space in the Aryabhatta Tech Park is set to take
off in one month's time. Thanks to the infrastructure development taking place in the park and in the city.

A software development and BPO firm N S Infotech Pvt Ltd took up construction work on the 40,000-sqft area it had been allotted. Company promoter Santosh Huralikoppi said here on Monday that the firm will start functioning from the second week of August.

The Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, that is in charge of infrastructure development in the 26-acre park, has completed building a one-kilometre-long road inside the park and begun work on other facilities.

Assembly Speaker Jagadeesh Shettar who inspected the area on Monday, said facilities like fixing boundary line and constructing compound walls, landscaping and other amenities will be provided soon. He said, the IT department officials had promised more funds for these works.

The state government is trying to get SEZ status for the IT park. For this, we need to have a large tract of contagious land. We need to shift the KSRP building that is situated inside the park area. "I will take up the matter with the state law minister Suresh Kumar," he said.

The Karnataka State Law University authorities are using portions of the KSRP building and they will be asked to move out too. Shettar hoped that more IT and ITES companies will start functioning from here. "I am sure these companies will start work once all infrastructure is ready. However, the state government will take back the land if the companies don't start work in two years," he said.

Sub-standard road

Meanwhile, a person to whom land was allotted, complained to the Speaker that the road built in the park is of sub-standard quality. He also said that the road had no proper alignment. Shettar directed the HDMC officials to go in for a third-party inspection into the work and order a resurvey of the road alignment.

Reacting to some IT firms complaining about delay in getting permissions, Shettar directed the HDMC commissioner K R Ramakrishna to speed up the process of issuing permissions.

Karnataka launches rural BPO job project

Karnataka launches rural BPO job project

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Mysore August 08, 2009, 0:23 IST

Karnataka government launched today its ambitious project of providing a lakh jobs for youth by setting up BPO centres in rural areas across the state.

The first in the series of the rural BPO centres was inaugurated at Baburayana Koppal in Srirangapatna taluk, about 15 kms off Mysore.

Continuing their commanding position, IT and BPO sectors have provided jobs for over five lakh people in the state and Bangalore alone has employed over two lakh in IT and ITeS sectors. To promote jobs for locals and rural youth with minimum computer knowledge at taluk and hobli levels, the government has proposed BPO-based service centres in rural centres having less than a lakh population by offering incentives for those who come forward to set up such centres.

It provides a one-time financial assistance for capital investment up to Rs 20 lakh for a 100-seat or more BPO centre and Rs 10,000 for training an employee. On a regular basis, it will offer Rs 500 for an employee to have internet connectivity and meet premises rental on a monthly basis.

The government has set up an experts committee to identify entrepreneurs willing to set up the rural BPO centres. It proposes to create a lakh jobs over a five-year period in these rural centres. IT and BT minister Katta Subraanya Naidu who launched the project announced that the government would come out with a new information technology policy by month-end.

It will cover expansion of the IT sector in Tier II and III cities in the state and give priority to open rural BPO centres. Similarly, a hardware policy would be announced. Hardware was in great demand and covered only two per cent, while China had taken a long leap, he said saying that this sector needed to be taken forward with greater priority. Naidu also said the state government would come out with a policy on semi-conductors. The IT parks in Gulbarga, Belgaum and Shimoga were in addition to those in Mysore, Hubli and Mangalore and would be opened by September-end.

The State’s IT exports had touched Rs 71,000 crore this year from Rs 55,000 crore last year. Karnataka’s share in IT exports exceeded 50 per cent of the total IT exports of the country, the minister said. The government had plans to set up nearly 150 new industrial units in the next four years with over a lakh crore rupees investment and job opportunities for nearly 10 lakh, he added.

Second IT boom on cards

Second IT boom on cards

DH News Service - Subrahmanyan Viswanath,

Karnataka, which has been in the forefront of setting a model for other states in the new economy sectors, is all set to usher in a second IT revolution.

Bangalore: The move follows the State’s bid to give shape to an Information Technology Investment Regions (ITIRs) policy mooted by the Union Ministry of Information Technology & Communications.

The State government through its nodal agency—Karnataka Electronics Corporation (Keonics)—has identified five corridors for setting up the proposed ITIRs.

The ITIR policy is aimed at promoting investment in IT, ITeS and electronic hardware manufacturing (EHM) sectors. The corridors identified for ITIRs are Hubli-Dharwad-Belgaum, Bangalore-BIAL-Devanahalli, Mangalore-Surathkal-Udupi, Shimoga - Bhadravathi and Bangalore - Tumkur regions.

However, how far the new move would lure investors into ITIRs is debatable given that some of the IT parks in State’s Tier-II cities have elicited only muted response.

Official sources told Deccan Herald that each ITIR is expected to be in a 40-sq km area covering 10,000 acres in each region. The ITIRs would boast of excellent infrastructure so that prospective investors can reap the benefits of networking and greater efficiency through common infrastructure and support services. Such a complex would also help boost exports and generate employment.

Sources said Keonics had invited expression of interest (EoI) from consultants to prepare a techno-economic pre-feasibility report (TER), in the first phase, for the Hubli-Dharwar-Belgaum ITIR. Of the three consultants—PriceWaterhouse Coopers Pvt Ltd (PWC), IL&FS and Mott MacDonald—shortlisted for giving technical presentation, PWC and Mott MacDonald were chosen. The two would undertake necessary survey and submit a techno-feasibility report (TFR) which will go into the identification of government and private land available for acquisition, water availability and power. Since undertaking the TFR, to be submitted in 60 days, would cost over Rs 30 lakh to Rs 3 crore, the proposal has been set for financial clearance. The government is keen to take up an ITIR in the Bangalore-BIAL-Devanahalli region as well simultaneously, EoI has been invited from consultants for TFR.

The ITIRs would also host processing facilities where IT, ITeS and EHMs would be located and non-processing areas, which will include residential, commercial and other social and institutional infrastructure. The minimum processing area for ITIR will be about 40 per cent of the total designated area. The ITIRs may include SEZs, industrial parks, free trade and warehousing zones and export-oriented units. To be developed on public-private partnership, the centres will ensure external physical infrastructure linkages—roads, airports, and rail. Each ITIR will have large IT/ITeS/EHM units. While ITIRs will be built and managed by a developers, other facilities would be provided by the Centre and State government.

Mayor, commissioner should get proactive

Mayor, Commissioner should get proactive

Times News Network - 2 August 2009, 09:11pm IST

Hubli-Dharwad figuring in the JNNURM list makes a happy tiding for the residents. Since project implementation is the responsibility of urban local
bodies the HDMC must complete the requisite formalities scrupulously to be eligible for the proposed Rs 600 crore Central funding. Apart from preparing project reports for various works the HDMC would do well to fulfill the basic reform agenda as required since the Central grant under the mission is not a free lunch. While the HDMC needs to change its good old mindset, the mayor and the acting commissioner should get more proactive in ensuring people-friendly civic governance now.
To improve accountability and transparency in administration the defunct citizen committees must be revived. Besides being financially strong the corporation must adopt modern accrual based double entry accounting system, introduce e-governance using IT applications like GIS and MIS for various services, reform property tax system with GIS application so that collection efficiency reaches at least 85% as needed under JnNURM mission mode scheme of urban renewal.
Funds received from the Centre and the state must be put to better and balanced use and avoid chances of resource leakage, misuse, misapplication and corruption etc. Priority be given to such projects as redevelopment of inner and old city areas, water supply, sewerage and solid waste management, construction and improvement of drains/storm water drains, urban transport including roads, highways, parking lots/spaces on a PPP basis, development of heritage sites, eradication of slums etc as envisaged under JnNURM.

Venkatesh N Muttur, Mayuri Estate, Hubli.


Hurdles in way of Ring Road proposal

The much required Ring Road proposal to decongest the traffic which has increased at unimagined proportions has another twist to it now. The concept conceded in 2001 has atleast five amendments to road alignment, even increasing the length of the road from the initial 9.5 km and not to mention the escalated costs into folds. The concurrence of the latest approved map which involves acquiring 202 acres of land at the fixed rate at Rs 1.5 lakh to 3 lakh per acre is debatable. This is because the land prices around Hubli have gone up substantially in recent times and the villagers may not agree to part with their land for less money further delaying the process. Under these circumstances it is difficult to imagine that how far the proposal will take shape.

Mohinder Singh Sublok, Arvind Nagar, Hubli

Fix time limit for truck movement

The monsoon has exposed the substandard quality of roads in Hubli. Potholes have come up on several roads in New Cotton Market area that were laid a few months back. Roads in this area were constructed after a gap of not less than a decade providing the much needed relief to the residents and shopkeepers here. One major reason for the roads here turning worse is movement of heavy trucks. The authorities should restrict the movement of monstrous trucks by allowing them into the city only during a fixed period of time.

Viswanath, New Cotton Market, Hubli

Veerendra Hegagde to set up Super Specialty Hospital in Dharwad

Veerendra Hegagde to set up Super Specialty Hospital in Dharwad

By Team Mangalorean Bangalore


BANGALORE, July 27, 2009: Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara (SDM) Education Society of Dharmasthala, Dakshina Kannada, headed by Dharmadhikari Veerendra Heggade has proposed to set up a Super Speciality Hospital at Mummigatti village in Dharwad district.

The estimated cost of the hospital will be Rs. 125 crore. The Society, which runs 44 educational institutions in various parts of the State, would establish the hospital on 25 acres at Mummigatti Village on Dharwad-Belgaum Road. Padmabhushana awardee D. Veerendra Heggade has also constructed SDM Dental Hospital and SDM Medical Hospital in Dharwad and managing it for the past few years.

According to officials in the Commerce and Industries Department the State High Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) meeting chaired by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa last approved the Society’s proposal.

The Super Specialty Hospital would have a post graduation centre, a research centre, and administrative and academic building. It would provide employment to 700 persons.

The SHLCC, which discussed the project in detail, resolved to recommend Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) to allot 25 acres of land at Mummigatti in Dharwad. The Hubli Electricity Supply Company (HESCOM) would supply 1000 KVA to the hospital while the KIADB would supply 50,000 litres of water per day subject to availability.

D. Surendra Kumar, vice-president of the Society appeared before the committee and briefed the details of the project.

The SDM Education Society, which runs hospitals in Dharmasthala, Chikmagalur, Hassan and Mangalore, would prepare a plan for development of human resources required for the project, train local people and comply with the Government policy on providing employment to local people, sources said.

Ball set rolling for water project

Ball set rolling for water project

TNN 26 July 2009, 10:16pm IST

HUBLI: The foundation stone for the much-awaited III phase of Malaprabha project was laid on Saturday. The project, taken up at a cost of Rs 152
crore, involves laying of parallel water line, improving the distribution network designed to double up the availability of water from 16 million gallon litres of water a day (MLD) to 32 MLD.

Assembly Speaker Jagadeesh Shettar launched the works at a ceremony on Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation premises here. Under the project, the water will be drawn from Malaprabha river by laying 1,168-mm pipeline for a 30-km stretch from Savadatti to Amminabhavi. The project also involves a 68 MLD treatment plant at Amminabhavi.

Shettar said the work, once completed within a year, will give a new direction to the development of the twin-cities. Residents can hope to get water once in at least two days from the existing once in four to five days.

He said Hubli-Dharwad was known for negative aspects like water crisis, chocked drains and bad roads all these days. But now, with a lot of funds flowing in from different quarters, the cities are set for an image makeover, he said.

Stating that HDMC stands first in the state in utilizing Rs 100-crore special grant given to corporations, he thanked corporators and other people's representatives for staying united for development.

He claimed the legislators of the twin-cities are making efforts to make Hubli-Dharwad an ideal place to live. "Public works minister C M Udasi has promised to get the cabinet approval for the four-lane road between Hubli and Dharwad cities. Sports minister Gulihatti Chandrashekar has announced Rs 50 lakh for the upgradation of Nehru Grounds in Hubli," he claimed.

Land for bypass road

MP Prahlad Joshi announced that the railway ministry has given approval for the construction of railway underpass on Hubli-Gadag state highway. The railways will sanction Rs 4.5 crore for the purpose while the remaining cost will be borne by the state government.

District minister Murugesh asked the corporators to bring to the notice of the concerned authority about substandard works.

The foundation stone for the renovated HDMC-run Chitaguppi Hospital was also laid on the occasion. Mayor Veeranna Savadi said the maternity hospital will be a 100-bed hospital with four wards, two labour rooms, OPD and other facilities.

S.M.Krishna consents full-fledged passport offices

S.M.Krishna consents full-fledged passport offices

Udayavani

Mangalore, July 14: The External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna has approved to grant full-fledged passport offices in Mangalore and Hubli.

In this regard the minister S.M.Krishna has written a letter to Chief Minister. Notification regarding the commencement of the office will be out in the month if August.

Chief Secretary of AICC Oscar Fernandise had requested the External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna to allow passport offices in Mangalore, told the convener of Railway Development Action Committee P.V.Mohan to Udayavani.

It is proposed to open service centers in Gulbarga and Belgaum and in this regard only last level doings are pending.

K.H.Muniyappa, Union Minister of State for Railways and E.Ahamed, Union Minister (Deputy Minister) of State have conducted a meeting with External Affairs Minister S.M.Krishna and dicided over the matter of extending Mangalore-Bangalore railway to Kannur. Minister S.M.Krishna has give the confidence of starting day train Mangalore-Bangalore, told Mohan.

Twin-cities included in JNNURM programme

Twin-cities included in JNNURM programme

Times of India

HUBLI: It's a dream come true for the residents of Hubli-Dharwad as the twin-cities found a place in the UPA government's flagship programme of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission Union (JNNURM).

The twin-cities had just missed by a whisker to Mysore on the previous occasion. Though it had all requirements to make it to the reforms-linked investment scheme, the Royal City was preferred over Hubli-Dharwad due to its heritage and tourism tag.

Protests and demonstrations had made headlines after the list of cities selected under JNNURM was announced with no mention of the twin-cities. Even there was no dearth for mud-slinging.

MP Prahlad Joshi had held then former chief minister N Dharam Singh responsible for that, saying that he had sent names of more than the required number of cities for inclusion under JNNURM.

Felt let down by the Centre, H D Kumaraswamy government had even made several representations to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and urban development minister Jaipal Reddy. Sonia, during a visit to Bangalore, had also promised to include Hubli-Dharwad in JNNURM if the state government sent a proposal.

The campaign, demanding the inclusion of Hubli-Dharwad under JNNURM, received a shot in the arm when some non-resident Indians joined the crusade. Natives of Hubli-Dharwad residing overseas had launched a chain of protests by observing a day-long fast to express their solidarity.

Nagesh Tavarageri, a resident of Cerritos (USA), had initiated an e-movement through a group website through which they sent hundreds of online representations to the President, PM and urban development minister.

District in-charge minister Murugsh Nirani said this will take the twin-cities to newer heights in infrastructure development and in attracting investment. MLC A M Hindasageri and mayor Veeranna Savadi said the twin-cities can now hope for better urban facilities.

What is JNNURM?

It's a central government's initiative aimed at encouraging reforms and fast-track planned development of identified cities. Its objectives include integrated development of infrastructure services, ensuring adequate funds to fulfill deficiencies, planned development of cities, provision of services for the urban poor, redevelopment of old cities and secure effective linkages between assets creation and asset management.

Its components comprise urban renewal, water supply (including desalination and sewerage), solid waste management, storm water drains, urban transport, parking spaces on PPP basis, development of heritage areas, preservation if water bodies among others.