Address infrastructure needs of twin cities

‘Address infrastructure needs of twin cities’

Staff Correspondent - The Hindu

---

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

IT SEZ, agro-tech park between twin cities favoured

---

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.