[Bidar, Yadgir, Gulbarga] State highways in three divisions to be improved

Source: The Hindu

The State government has approved the improvement of State highways in Gulbarga, Yadgir and Bidar divisions of the Public Works Department in two phases at a cost of Rs. 295.05 crore.

Official sources told The Hindu here on Monday that under Phase I, the total cost of the projects approved was Rs. 156.12 crore and under Phase II, projects worth Rs. 138.93 crore had been approved.

The sources said that in Gulbarga division under Phase I, 206.28 km of State highways would be improved at a cost of Rs. 76.18 crore. This included improvement of Mahagoan-Sulepeth Road to a distance of 47.58 km, Chigaralli Cross-Sindagi State highway via Yedrami (52 km), Srirangapatna-Jewargi State highway (19 km), Mudhol-Yeragera State highway (24.50 km) and Aurad-Sadashivgad State highway (63.20 km).

In Yadgir division, under Phase I, 54.50 km of road would be improved at a cost of Rs. 17.51 crore, including 33.62 km of Mudhol-Yeragera State highway passing through Yadgir district and Basavakalyan-Raichur State highway to a distance of 20.88 km, passing through Yadgir district.

The sources said that in Bidar division, 186.21 km of State highways would be improved at a cost of Rs. 62.42 crore, including the Humnabad-Bidar State highway to a distance of 36.70 km, Wanmarpalli-Raichur State highway passing through Bidar to a distance of 80 km and of Aurad-Sadhashivgad State highway, passing through Bidar district, to a distance of 69.51 km.

Under Phase II, the State government has approved improving 191.19 km of State highways at a cost of Rs. 82.59 crore, including the Basavakalyan-Raichur State highway, passing through Gulbarga district, to a distance of 39.30 km; Bhalki-Chincholi State highway, passing through Gulbarga district, to a distance of 34.60 km; Shahpur-Shivarampur State highway to a distance of 57.63 km; and Shahpur-Shivarampur State highway to a distance of 59.66 km.

The sources said that in Yadgir district, 90.20 km of State highways would be improved at a cost of Rs. 36.45 crore, including the Srirangapatna-Jewargi State highway, passing through Yadgir district, to a distance of 57.30 km and the Sindagi-Kodangal State highway to a distance of 32.90 km.

In Bidar district, 57.40 km of State highways would be improved at a cost of Rs. 19.89 crore, including the Bhalki-Chincholi State highway to a distance of 24.40 km.

Works to be taken up at a cost of

Rs. 295.05 crore

In Bidar division, State highways to be improved at a cost of Rs. 62.42 crore

B’lore firm may develop solar parks in State

Source: DHNS

A private company which has developed Asia’s first and the world’s largest solar park at Charanka village in Gujarat, is likely to bag the Solar Park projects in Karnataka too.

Sources told Deccan Herald that the State government had invited engineers from EI Technologies based in Bangalore, to conduct inspections at four locations in the State where solar parks could be set up.

One of the proposed locations is Mannur village in Bijapur district, where 4,000 acres have been identified to develop a solar park of 500 MW capacity, according to Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje. Sources said other proposed locations are in Raichur and Yadgir districts.

On Friday, Karandlaje said the solar plant at Mannur would be developed with an initial capacity of 80 MW to 100 MW and would be expanded later. She said the work on the solar park would be monitored by Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL), the nodal agency for promoting renewable energy. KREDL would also be responsible to provide basic infrastructure like power evacuation, water and roads to the developers.

EI Technologies engineer N Ranganath told Deccan Herald that he had been invited to conduct site inspections in the State to set up solar parks. He said like Gujarat, Karnataka was also a preferred State for tapping solar power in districts like Dharwad, Raichur, Bidar and Yadgir.

Ranganath said the estimated cost of developing a solar plant of 1 MW capacity was around Rs 9 crore and to develop a 80 MW plant, it would cost around Rs 720 crore. He said if the land was in possession of the government, it would not take more than six months to complete the project.

Ranganath said tapping solar energy would be inevitable in future as it had advantages when it came to total savings on the project, operation and maintenance. He said any location to develop solar park should have minimum availability of water as solar panels need periodical cleaning.

KREDL Managing Director N Prasanna Kumar said once the developer was finalised, the government would provide infrastructure and the project would begin. He said the project would be maintained by the developer for a lease agreement period of 30 years.

Gulbarga to host MSMI investors' meet on May 28

Source: The Hindu

MoUs worth Rs. 10,000 crore expected to be signed

Sharing information:Minister for Small-Scale Industries Narasimha Nayak addressing a press conference in Gulbarga on Sunday. Commissioner of the Industries Maheshwara Rao isseen.— Photo: Arun Kulkarni

The State government will host an investors' meet for micro-, small- and medium-scale industries (MSMI) in Gulbarga to explore the investment potential in Gulbarga Revenue division covering Gulbarga, Raichur, Bellary, Bidar, Yadgir and Koppal district on May 28.

Briefing presspersons after chairing a preliminary meeting with representatives of trade and industry in Gulbarga on Sunday, Minister for Small-Scale Industries Narasimha Nayak and Commissioner of Industries Maheshwara Rao said Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda would inaugurate the investors' meet here on May 28. Minister for Major Industries Murugesh Nirani would also participate.

Mr. Nayak said he expected that at the meet, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) would be signed with potential investors for investments worth Rs. 10,000 crore in Gulbarga.

He said the investors' meet was part of the Global Investors' Meet (GIM) to be held in Bangalore on June 7 and 8. While the GIM in Bangalore would deal with investment in major industries, the investors' meet held at the divisional headquarters would tap potential investment in MSMIs.

Mr. Nayak said the investors' meets for MSMI held in other parts of Karnataka including Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli-Dharwad and Belgaum were an unprecedented success, with the government signing MoUs worth several thousand crores.

At the investors' meet held in Mysore on May 4, MoUs worth more than Rs. 10,000 crore were signed; at the meet held in Hubli in March, MoUs worth Rs. 4,800 crore were signed, and at the meets held in Belgaum and Mangalore, MoU's worth Rs. 2,000 crore and Rs. 1,500 crore respectively were signed.

To a question, Mr Nayak said that investment opportunities in MSMIs was very high in the state and it had remained untapped all these years and the investors meet had helped the state to tap this potential and create more employment avenues with the opening of new industries in the tier II cities.

Mr. Nayak said Gulbarga had good potential in the MSMI sector, and the State government was confident of inviting investors from the neighbouring State of Andhra Pradesh to invest in the pharmaceutical and other industrial hubs in the Gulbarga region.

The government would set up a common effluent plant in Yadgir for the proposed pharmaceutical hub in Yadgir district.

In Gulbarga, a jewellery park was proposed to be set up along with the textile park and other industries.

Posco to set up plant in Gadag

Source: Times of India

BANGALORE: Posco, the South Korean steel giant, has zeroed in on Gadag to set up its steel manufacturing unit.

Principal secretary to the commerce and industries department V P Baligar said the unit will come up on 3,000 acres at Haligudi in Mundargi taluk, Gadag district. Similarly, Coca Cola will set up its plant on 250 acres in backward Yadgir district.

[Yadgir] Rs. 1 crore sanctioned for developing Bonal Bird Sanctuary near Surpur

Source: The Hindu

Surpur king Raja Pam Naik built Bonal tank in the 17th Century

Water is provided from the Narayanpur Left Bank Canal

Bonal: The State Government has sanctioned Rs. 1 crore for the development of the Bonal Bird Sanctuary near Surpur in Yadgir district, the second largest bird sanctuary after Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary in Mysore district in the State.

The Forest Department officials said that infrastructure in the sanctuary will be developed.

The sanctuary is a favourite jaunt for the migratory birds from distant countries.

At least 21 species of birds visit the tank which is situated in a rural environment surrounded by rocky hillocks and irrigation rich agricultural fields.

Deputy Commissioner K.G. Jagadeesh told The Hindu that the work of preparing a blue print for developing the Bonal Bird Sanctuary on the lines of the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary has been handed over to the Karnataka Housing Board (KHB).

The KHB has the authority to appoint an expert consultant to prepare the blue print. So, it has floated the tenders inviting the proposals from the consultants.

The migratory birds which frequent the sanctuary included purple heron, white-necked stork, white ibis, black ibis, brahminy duck, bar-headed goose, Indian shag, snake bird, purple moorhen, Indian moorhen, large egret, pond heron, and cattle egret.

It was only after a long struggle by the nature and bird lovers of the region and the Forest Department pursuing the issue doggedly that the State Government declared the Bonal tank as a bird sanctuary a couple of years ago.

Till then the tank was a haven for poachers who indiscriminately hunted the migratory birds and the fishing activity in the tank posed a permanent problem for the birds.

The Bonal tank was built by the Surpur king Raja Pam Naik in the 17th Century primarily to serve as an abode for peacocks that were in abundance in the region and a water hole for the wild animals.

Later, the capacity of the tank was increased during the time of Captain Meadows Taylor.

The biography of Taylor “Story of My Life”, notes that the waste weir of the tank was extended by 12 feet and the capacity of the tank was increased to 1,600 acres with an average depth of 12 feet.

According to the figures available, only in 800 acres of the tank there is water and a lot of silt has accumulated in the entire tank.

Cabinet meeting in Gulbarga

Source: The Hindu

The Cabinet meeting that will be held here on Monday for the third time, is likely to sanction Rs. 300 crore for the development of Yadgir district.

Coca-Cola to set up plant for beverages in Yadgir, Karnataka

Source: Hindu Business Line

With the South accounting for nearly 48 per cent of the India business, Coca-Cola is set to establish a manufacturing base in Karnataka with an outlay of about Rs 500 crore.
The company is in negotiations with the Karnataka Government for allotment of land in Yadgir district.
“The market for beverages is growing and Coca-Cola is poised to witness 20 per cent growth this year. Last few quarters also illustrate this growth pattern. Going by the market requirements and launch of more fruit-based drinks, we are in the process of finalising plans for a manufacturing base in Karnataka,” Mr Deepak Kaul, Vice-President (South), Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages, said.
Speaking to Business Line here, Mr Kaul said the investments would be spread out over a 3-5 year period. The new manufacturing base is planned for fruit-based drinks. The market for drinks served in PET bottles is set for a big surge and the plant aims to address that demand.
The company had launched a few value-added juices in the fruit segment such as mango fruit drink and plans a slew of launches. Coca-Cola had signed up with the Karnataka Government earlier this year expressing interest to set up a manufacturing base.
At present, Coca-Cola has 52 bottling plants, of which 25 are franchise-owned and rest are company-owned. The plant in Karnataka will be a company-owned one.
According to company officials, Hindustan Coca Cola Beverages currently has 24 manufacturing facilities in the country and nine of co-packers. The project will see initial investment of about Rs 250 crore at the newly-carved Yadgir district, in the industrial park earmarked by the Karnataka Government. The Government accorded permission last week, officials said.

Tourism in Gulbarga, Yadgir districts gets a boost

Source: Hindu


At work:Principal Secretary, Tourism Department, Jothiramalingam (left) and other officials of the department taking a boat ride in the Sharanabasavesh lake in Gulbarga on Friday.
GULBARGA: The State Government has initiated a series of measures to develop historic and nature spots in Gulbarga and Yadgir districts and tap the tourism potential of the region.
A team of officials from the Tourism Department, led by Principal Secretary Jothiramalingam and Commissioner Vishwanath Reddy intensively toured the two districts, visiting some of the significant tourist destinations. They have come out with a master plan to upgrade facilities available there and develop them into tourist centres.
Addressing presspersons here on Friday, Mr. Jothiramalingam announced that in Yadgir, a major development project for the better maintenance of the Yadgir Fort would be taken up, under an additional grant of Rs. 103 crore given by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, for the overall development of Kemmanagundi and Nandi Hills.
The Sanna Kere, a tank in the heart of Yadgir town, would be developed into a major tourist attraction at a cost of Rs. 8.68 crore. A sum of Rs. 2 crore had been released to the Yadgir district administration last year and another Rs. 1.7 crore would be released during the current year. Desilting of Sanna Kere would be taken up to increase the water holding capacity and divert the sewage that is being let into the tank, he said.
The district administration would submit a detailed project report on the project to the Lake Development Authority seeking central funds to beautify the lake and introduce water sports here. A theme park, along the lines of the Sharanabasaveshwar Lake Park in Gulbarga, would be established adjacent to Sanna Kere, he added.
Sleeping Buddha
Mr. Jothiramalingam said the site of the Sleeping Buddha on the outskirts of Shahapur town in Yadgir district would be developed into a tourist centre at a cost of Rs. 4.38 crore. The Government had permitted the district administration to acquire 2 acres of land for the construction of an approach road. Besides, an elevated platform would be built, offering a view of the Sleeping Buddha on the hillock.
Deputy Commissioner of Yadgir K.G. Jagadeesh said a Buddhist theme park, Dhyana Mandir and garden would be set up there to attract tourists. The lake on the base of the hillock would be developed, he added.
Mr. Jagadeesh said Bonal Tank and Chaya Bhagwathi temple, which was downstream of the Krishna near Narayanpur Dam were some other places that would be developed to attract tourists.
A team of officials from the Tourism Department would visit Gurmitkal to locate a suitable spot to establish jungle lodges. At the Bonal tank, the department would start jungle trails and camps, similar to the one established at Shakare Bele in Shimoga, he added.
Work in Gulbarga
In Gulbarga district, the Tourism Department has taken up development works in seven tourist centres at a cost of Rs. 9.34 crore.
This included the development of water sports at the Chandrampalli reservoir, construction of Yatri Niwas at Chandralamba temple at Sannati in Chitapur taluk, improvement of facilities at the Dattatreya temple at Deval Gangapur in Afsalpur taluk, development of the Vijnaneshwar park at Martur in Gulbarga taluk and improvement of facilities at Gulbarga Fort.
Regional Commissioner Rajneesh Goel, Gulbarga Deputy Commissioner R. Vishal and Tourism Commissioner Vishwanath Reddy were present.

‘Sleeping Buddha' in Shahpur to be developed to attract tourists

Source: Hindu

Nature's beauty: ‘Sleeping Buddha' is a series of hillocks on the outskirts of Shahpur town in Yadgir district.
Shahapur (Yadgir district): The Union Government has agreed to contribute Rs. 4.38 crore to develop “Sleeping Buddha” in Yadgir district as a tourist spot.
The “Sleeping Buddha”, considered be Nature's tribute to Lord Buddha, is a series of hills on the outskirts of Shahpur town in Yadgir district which look like Lord Buddha in sleeping posture. And it is particularly so if one sees the rocky formation from one particular spot.
The “Sleeping Buddha” is a perfect picture of Lord Buddha with a sharp nose, curly hair tied together in a bun and folded hands placed on the chest. While the rocky formation gives a perfect picture of “Sleeping Buddha”, when one moves away from the spot, the rocky formation is just hills like any other.
Secretary of the Hyderabad Karnataka Development Board Shalini Rajneesh Goel had mooted the idea of developing this particular spot into a tourist spot. Later, the State Government had sent a detailed proposal to that effect to the Union Government.
The Union Government, according to official sources here, has given its assent for the Rs. 4.38-crore project, which includes construction of a pathway and allied works at a cost of Rs. 36.43 lakh, construction of a viewing deck and allied works at a cost of Rs. 24.61 lakh, providing parking facilities at a cost of Rs. 26.35 lakh, setting up of an open-air theatre at a cost of Rs. 97.29 lakh, a meditation platform at a cost of Rs. 26.02 lakh, solar illumination works at a cost of Rs. 30.68 lakh, fencing works at a cost of Rs. 27.78 lakh, wayside facilities at a cost of Rs. 1.52 crore, and display of signages at a cost of Rs. 4 lakh.

The official sources told The Hindu here on Thursday that the Union Government has released Rs. 40 lakh, which is the first instalment of the Rs. 4.38 crore promised for the project, to the Deputy Commissioner of Yadgir district. In the first phase, a road would be laid connecting Shahpur and Bangalore, and a viewing deck would be constructed. The authorities also propose to develop the beautiful tank at the base of the hillock with boating facilities so that it becomes an added attraction to the tourists.