Efforts on to convince industrialists to invest in North Karnataka: Nirani

Efforts on to convince industrialists to invest in North Karnataka: Nirani

Staff Correspondent

‘Government is thinking of creating a Bangalore-Mumbai industrial corridor’

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36 projects worth Rs. 28,000 crore awaiting clearance

Rs. 50 crore released for Malaprabha project

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Murugesh Nirani

HUBLI: Murugesh Nirani, Large and Medium Industries Minister and in-charge of Dharwad district, has said that the State Government will make efforts to convince industrialists to invest in North Karnataka.

Addressing presspersons here on Sunday, Mr. Nirani said 36 projects involving an investment of Rs. 28,000 crore were before the State Government.

Meeting

“A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa would be held on June 26. Some entrepreneurs have been invited to it. Efforts will be made to convince them to invest in North Karnataka,” he added.

Most of the investment proposals pertained to areas around Bangalore. “We will make efforts to bring them to North Karnataka by offering them some incentives and assistance,” he said.

The Minister said that the Government was thinking of creating a Bangalore-Mumbai industrial corridor to boost industrial growth in the region and officials had been directed to identify land for setting up of industrial estates.

He, however, clarified that while creating the industrial corridor and special economic zones, the interests of farmers would be safeguarded.

Mr. Nirani said that he would hold three meetings in Hubli and Dharwad on June 27 on various issues pertaining to the development of the twin cities.

A sum of Rs. 50 crore had been released for the Malaprabha third stage drinking water project, he said

The cost of the project was Rs. 196 crore. Steps would be taken to release the remaining funds at the earliest. Efforts would be made to supply drinking water in the twin cities daily, he said.

The Minister said that nearly Rs. 500 crore was needed for acquisition of land for the expansion of Hubli airport.

The matter would soon be taken up by the Cabinet, he said.

Report

A report on the arrest of farmers in connection with the recent violent protests over fertilizer shortage in the twin cities had been sought, he said.

Steps would be taken to release innocent farmers, he said.