[Hampi] Rs. 300 crore for Vijayanagar theme park

Source: The Hindu

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said on Thursday that he would earmark Rs. 100 crore in the forthcoming budget for the theme park on the Vijayanagar empire planned by the Government to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Sri Krishnadevaraya.

“I wish to release Rs. 300 crore to the Vijayanagar Pratishthan, which has been entrusted with the task of setting up the theme park at Kamalapur, adjacent to Hampi, for which the former Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, laid the foundation stone during last year's celebrations.

The Rs. 100 crore to be set aside in this year's budget will be continued for the next two years,” he added after inaugurating the Hampi Utsav here on Thursday.

Stating that the Vijayanagar empire had a distinct place in Indian history, he said that Sri Krishnadevaraya had a special place among its rulers with his multifaceted personality as a warrior, administrator, patron of art, culture and literature. “Is a great honour for us to establish a theme park on the glorious past of the Vijayanagar period at Hampi and make it a major tourist attraction. I appeal to G. Janardhan Reddy and his colleagues to commence the work on the theme park immediately and complete it at the earliest. I promise to set aside Rs. 100 crore every year in the budget for the next two years,” he said.

Powet Chennaveera Kanavi, Sri Vidyaranya Bharati Swami of Vidyaranya Peetha of Hampi, and Ministers Govind Karjol and V.S. Achar were present.

[Hubli] Sankalp Semiconductor Private Ltd. moved to the Aryabhata Technology Park

Source: The Hindu

Sankalp Semiconductor Private Ltd. moved to the Aryabhata Technology Park on Wednesday.

Sankalp Semiconductor, with an employee base of 140, caters to the top 10 semiconductor companies in the world. It is the second company to begin its operations from the tech park set up at Navanagar between Hubli and Dharwad with the objective of promoting IT companies in the region. ITES company N.S. Infotech was the first to begin its operations from the tech park last year.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister and Dharwad district in charge Jagadish Shettar inaugurated the new premises of the company on Wednesday.

The company, which shifted its base from Bangalore to Hubli a few years ago, was hitherto operating from the campus of BVB College of Engineering and Technology.

Lauding the company for involving itself with various initiatives aimed at helping students from the region, Mr. Shettar promised all help for IT companies willing to operate from Hubli. Mr. Shettar said the State Government was making focussed efforts for promoting the IT industry in the Hubli-Dharwad region. The Minister warned that if companies failed to make use of the land for which it was allotted to them at the tech park, it would be taken back by the administration.

Trustee of the Deshpande Foundation Gururaj Deshpande spoke.

Commissioner of the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation K.V. Trilokchandra listed out the steps taken for the development of the twin cities and also for attracting IT companies. Chief executive officer of Sankalp Semiconductor Vivek Pawar was among those present.

Prizes

On the occasion, prizes were given away to the winners of the ‘Aavishkar' science project competition conducted by the company.

Dharwad to have new IIIT

Source: DHNS

The IT dream in north Karnataka has just gotten more distant. In a surprising volte-face, the state government has proposed shifting the new Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) from Gulbarga to Dharwad.

Earlier this month, the state government had announced that a new IIIT would be housed at Gulbarga as part of the 20 such  institutes being set up by the Centre across the country. But the state government has now written to the Centre to locate the new IIIT in Dharwad instead of at Gulbarga. Confirming the move, state Higher Education Minister V S Acharya said the IIIT was being shifted as Gulbarga already had two universities—a central university and a state university. “Moreover, the Employment State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) is establishing a medical college and hospital in Gulbarga. Since there is a constraint on land, we decided to shift the IIIT to Dharwad,” he said. Acharya said Dharwad was chosen as Hubli-Dharwad was the second largest city in Karnataka. “Dharwad has a very supportive academic environment, and we felt that it would be better suited to have the IIIT in Dharwad,” he said. Since Karnatak University in Dharwad was nearly 50 years old, it would provide a supporting environment for the IIIT. The state government will now have to identify around 50 acres  to hand over to the Central government. Interestingly, Hubli-Dharwad already has a functional IIIT. With the present proposal, the twin city will have two IIITs. The Bangalore unit of IIIT has opened a centre in Hubli that offers a finishing school programme in collaboration with the IT industry. Currently, it offers certification programme in Information Technology Management, and Embedded and Real Time systems. The institute has also been holding special recruitment drives for students from the region. The IIIT will be established on a private-public partnership model, with Centre bearing 50 per cent of the cost of establishing the institute.  The state government will bear 35 per cent, and industry will bear 15 per cent of the total cost. The capital expenditure will be around Rs 128 crore, while the Centre  will provide partial support towards recurring expenditure of upto Rs 10 crore to the IIIT depending on requirements.

Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation to build ‘magic boxes' at two junctions

Source: The Hindu

The Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation plans to build ‘magic boxes' at two junctions in Hubli as part of its initiative to improve traffic management in the twin cities.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, HDMC Commissioner K.V. Trilokchandra said the State had given in-principle approval for an additional grant of Rs. 100 crore in the coming financial year 2011-2012. This was in addition to the Rs. 100-crore grant sanctioned earlier.

He said that on the State Government's instruction, the corporation prepared and submitted an action plan for Rs. 100 crore.

Mr. Trilokchandra said that Rs. 5 crore had been set aside for improving traffic management. Of this, Rs. 2 crore would be used for the magic boxes and development of parking lots. The remaining Rs. 3 crore would be used to install surveillance cameras, signages and develop link roads.

Mr. Trilokchandra said that the corporation had earmarked Rs. 35 crore for construction and development of roads, drains, pavements and pedestrian subways. As many as 214 works would be taken up under this.

He said that the corporation would take up expansion of the underground drainage system and lateral works at a cost of Rs. 5 crore to begin with.

“Initially, we plan to take up such works in the Old Hubli area,” he said.

The Commissioner said that keeping in view the problems faced by people living in low-lying areas, Rs. 5.5 crore had been set aside to take up works to strengthen storm-water drains in those areas and also ensure clear passage for overflowing water bodies.

He said Rs. 14.50 crore would be spent to develop Ashraya colonies, graveyards and villages that had been brought under the jurisdiction of the corporation.

He said Rs. 10 crore would be spent on development of parks, tanks and afforestation and another Rs. 10 crore to promote cultural and sports activities.

Mr. Trilokchandra said the corporation had kept aside Rs. 10 crore to asphalt roads that were developed four years ago under the Rs. 30-crore road development plan.

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Rs. 5 crore has been set aside to build magic boxes, install surveillance cameras

Rs. 35 crore earmarked for construction of roads, drains, pavements, subways

[Bellary] The stretch between HRG Circle and APMC Circle on the Bidar-Srirangapatna State Highway 19 here will be developed into a six-lane road

Source: The Hindu

The stretch between HRG Circle and APMC Circle on the Bidar-Srirangapatna State Highway 19 here will be developed into a six-lane road, according to G. Somashekara Reddy, MLA and Chairman of the Karnataka Milk Federation.

Mr. Reddy told presspersons here on Wednesday that the Government had sanctioned Rs. 15 crore to the Public Works Department for implementing this project.

As this narrow stretch is a prominent thoroughfare leading to Bangalore, there were complaints of traffic snarls for quite some time now, especially after the Central Bus Stand was shifted. The problem was further compounded when several commercial shops were opened at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Commercial Complex constructed by the Bellary Urban Development Authority (BUDA).

Mr. Reddy said that PWD officials had been asked to make optimum use of the open space available along the stretch and minimise the demolition of buildings that had come up on either side of the road. As per the information made available by the authorities, a 120-metre stretch at the beginning and the end will be a four-lane road and about 1,110 m will be developed into six lanes.

Minister to inaugurate newly developed park at Kuvempu Nagar in Bellary on Saturday

Source: The Hindu

PICTURESQUE: A view of the newly developed park at Kuvempu Nagar in Bellary.

Till recently, a plot of over three acres at Kuvempur Nagar here was covered with weeds . However, a lush park has come up there.

The park has been developed by the city corporation, in association with JSW Steel, at an estimated cost of around Rs. 1.2 crore at the behest of Tourism Minister G. Janardhan Reddy. The park, which will be inaugurated on January 22, has been named after the late actor Vishnuvardhan.

A life-size bronze statue of Vishnuvardhan installed at the entrance to the park will be unveiled by Bharathi Vishnuvardhan on the inaugural day. Mr. Janardhan Reddy and Health Minister B. Sriramulu will inaugurate the park while G. Somashekara Reddy, MLA and Chairman of the Karnataka Milk Federation, will preside. Mayor Noorjahan and many elected representatives will be present on the occasion, according to Thimmappa, Municipal Commissioner.

Mr. Thimmappa told presspersons here on Wednesday that by developing a park and naming it after Vishnuvardhan, the city corporation had implemented a promise made to the people by Mr. Janardhan Reddy while unveiling the life-size bronze statue of Rajkumar at another park named after him (Rajkumar) in October last.

The corporation planned to develop 29 parks in Bellary. In addition to the five parks to be developed on its own, it had entrusted the development of 11 parks to JSW Steel. Of them, seven had been completed and four were in various stages of completion, Mr. Thimmappa said. A civic reception would be accorded to Ms. Bharathi Vishnuvardhan on January 22. A music programme would be organised at BDAA Grounds the same day at 6.30 p.m.

Four day Dharwad Utsav starts this weekend

Source: Times of India


DHARWAD: The people of Dharwad district will have an opportunity to enjoy some enchanting and vibrant cultural performances as part of Dharwad Utsav- 2010-11 for four days from Saturday. However, this year's events will not feature artistes of national and international repute as preference is being given to local talents who have made a name in the field of music and art and are now residing elsewhere.

The programmes this time have been spread out to different venues in the district in a bid to reach out to the larger sections of the people including those in rural areas.

As many 201 cultural troupes including 2,457 artistes will enthral audiences on stages set up at different places of Hubli-Dharwad, Annigeri, Navalgund, Kalghatagi and Kundagol.

Deputy Commissioner Darpan Jain said cultural performances will be held in 10 places in Dharwad, six places in Hubli and one each in other towns. This time, the newly-developed venues like Sadhanakeri, Nrupatunga Betta, Kittur Chennamma Park, Karnataka Kulapurohita Alur Venkatarao Bhavan, heritage sites like Chandramoulishwara temple in Unkal, Amrutheshwara temple in Annigeri, Dr D Veerendra Heggade Kalakshetra and Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) auditorium will play host to the performances.

Conducting cultural programmes at these places may also help promote tourism, Jain said.

Special Attractions:

Scores of cultural, literary and theatre shows include performances by reputed artistes including vocal concerts by Pandit Somanath Mardur, Balachandra Nakod, sitar by Rais Khan and Hafiz Khan, dance by Yogini Gandhi from Pune, light music by Gayatri Deshpande, Rasa Manjari by Ajay Warrier and troupe, Shahnai by Basavaraj Hediggond, tabla by Ravindra Yavagal and Kiran Yavagal and others.

Besides, there will be performances by visually challenged and specially abled children, magic show and bike rides by Kudroli Ganesh and folk performances. Movie shows in selected villages and laser show by the department of information will also be held as part of the event, he said.

Folk Games:

Along with sports events like wrestling and kabadi, the Utsav committee has also contemplated on including folk games at the event. Cart race, a popular folk game of the region, will be organized, he said.

Karnataka approves new IT & Electronic hardware policy - Electronic Hardware park in Hubli-Dharwad

Source: The Hindu

The Karnataka Government today approved the new IT and Electronic Hardware policies to further boost the growth of these sectors, which account for 20 per cent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product.

The new IT Policy 2011 envisages promotion of the information technology industries and innovative parks in Tier II and III cities, Minister for Higher Education V S Acharya told reporters after a cabinet meeting that approved the development.

Karnataka, considered as the IT hub of the country, has achieved Rs 75,000 crore worth exports in software this year, Acharya said.

The government also approved the Karnataka Electronics Hardware Policy and earmarked Rs 25 crore as budgetary allocation for its implementation.

Acharya said the state plans to develop four Electronic Hardware parks in the clusters of Bangalore—Tumkur, Shimoga— Hassan, Hubli—Dharwad and Mysore—Nanjangud.

About 500 to 1,000 acres of land has been identified for the establishment of each of the parks, the minister said.

In a major policy decision, the cabinet decided to withdraw tax exemption granted to tertiary sector activities in the Export Oriented SEZ located in the city.

The tax concession will now be available only to units that are engaged in production of export oriented products, Acharya said.

[Dharwad] Rs 50 cr sought to upgrade Dimhans

Source: Times of India

DHARWAD: Dharwad Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (Dimhans) will be developed on lines of Bangalore-based Nimhans. A Rs 50-crore proposal to this effect has been sent to the government.

Dimhans director Dr Shivanand Doddamani and MP Pralhad Joshi told reporters here on Sunday that the development works include setting up of neurology and neurosurgery units and introducing new post-graduate courses, which would be taken up in three phases between 2011 and 2015.

New courses to be started here are MD and DPM in Psychiatry, MPhil in Clinical Psychology, and Psychiatric Social Work and diploma in Psychiatric Nursing. The government has issued a notification converting the 10 non-teaching posts into teaching posts for the purpose and the courses would start once the vacancies are filled. An independent de-addiction ward would start functioning once the process of appointments is completed.

Nimhans management has agreed to allow Dimhans staff to take part in training programmes and academic activities to enhance their skills. Likewise, they have also agreed to send their experts for rendering academic services at Dimhans. Steps have been taken to train medical, para-medical staff and others under National Mental Health Programme, they said.

About the ongoing works related to the construction of forensic ward, rehabilitation centre, mechanized laundry and modern kitchen are nearing completion and these units would be inaugurated in March. Tenders have been called for Rs 2.66 crore administrative block works.

Replying a query, Dr Doddamani said steps are being taken to curb illegal paying guest business, "allegedly" run by Dimhans staff for the students. Besides, enhancing the capacity of the existing hostels, steps have been initiated to construct a new one for the benefit of students.

[Belgaum] Government releases Rs. 4.9 crore for development of Rajhansgad fort

Source: The Hindu

For Better infrastructure: Sanjay Patil, MLA (Belgaum Rural), launching development work at the Rajhansgad fort in Belgaum on Monday. Deputy Commissioner Ekroop Caur is also seen.

The State Government has released Rs. 4.9 crore for the development of the historical Rajhansgad fort in Belgaum taluk.

Announcing this here on Monday, Sanjay Patil, MLA (Belgaum Rural), who laid the foundation stone to mark commencement of construction works on various infrastructure development works at the fort site earlier in the day, said the Government has decided to develop the fort into a major tourist destination. Accordingly, it has provided funds to create infrastructure facilities for the convenience of visitors.

Deputy Commissioner Ekroop Caur said the fort had been neglected all these years.

However, it is bound to grow into a major tourist attraction in the days to come. A garden will also come up at the fort, she said adding that Mr. Patil was trying to get additional funds from the Government to repair the cave linking the Rajhansgad and Belgaum forts.

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Rajhansgad fort to become a major tourist destination in the near future

Funds sought for repair of the cave linking the Rajhansgad and Belgaum forts

Campus interview @ ITI, VidyanagGovernment ar, Hubli at 10 a.m. on January 19

Source: The Hindu

Enercon (India) Ltd. will conduct campus interviews at ITI, VidyanagGovernment ar, Hubli at 10 a.m. on January 19 for candidates who have completed ITI. For details, contact the office of the Government ITI.

Tata Docomo launched its 3G services in the cities of Hubli, Dharwad and Belgaum on Monday

Source: The Hindu


Tata Docomo, the GSM arm of Tata Teleservices Limited, formally launched its 3G services in the cities of Hubli, Dharwad and Belgaum on Monday. District Superintendent of Police R. Dileep inaugurated the services at a function the firm's office in Hubli. Managing Director of VRL Logistics Anand Sankeshwar, and CEO of NS Infotech Santhosh Huralikoppi were present, a release said.

Kingfisher Airlines starts daily Belgaum-Mumbai flights

Source: The Hindu

Beginning: The first commercial flight of Kingfisher Airlines, which landed at Belgaum Airport at Sambra and took off for return journey on Monday.

The Kingfisher Airlines introduced daily flights between Belgaum and Mumbai on Monday. Belgaum-Mumbai flight will take off from Belgaum airport at Sambra at 3.10 p.m. and the Mumbai-Belgaum flight will start from Mumbai at 1.20 p.m.

The airline company had announced on December 27 that they would introduce new flight services on its domestic network, including Belgaum-Mumbai link from January 10.

Earlier, in response to the requests by the Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) and prominent political leaders from the district, Chairman of Kingfisher Airlines Vijay Mallya had said that commercial flight services would be introduced soon to link Belgaum with major cities.

Welcoming the introduction of fight service, BCCI members thanked Mr. Mallya, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel for introducing new flight services from Belgaum.However, BCCI members have urged it would be more convenient for a majority of people if the flight takes off from Belgaum in the morning and on the return journey, if it takes off from Mumbai in the evening.

Gulbarga fort to be restored

Source: The Hindu

Special Correspondent
The ASI has sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh for the project

State Government will restore one acre around the Ranamandal

ASI has been urged to release more funds



Regal:Regional Commissioner Rajneesh Goel atop the ‘Ranamandal' at the entrance of the Gulbarga fort.
GULBARGA: The 14th century Gulbarga fort, which remained untouched by rival forces in the times of Bahamani dynasty and other rulers, is all set to regain its lost glory with the Archaeological Survey of India and the State Government joining hands for its restoration and beautification.

The ASI had taken up restoration work on the majestic Jumma Masjid, a replica of the famed mosque in Cordoba city in Spain, standing tall inside the fort in the heart of Gulbarga city.

Now the ASI has entrusted the responsibility of restoring the one acre around the ‘Ranamandal', an imposing rock-solid fortification at the main entrance of the Gulbarga fort, to the State Government.

Regional Commissioner Rajneesh Goel who had taken special interest in restoration of the 14th century fort, told presspersons who visited the fort and Ranamandal area that the ASI has sanctioned Rs. 10 lakh for their restoration and beautification and fencing.

At the base of the imposing Ranamandal, a rose garden is being developed in a one-acre plot with a beautiful lawn and a walking track. “The main fortification of the Ranamandal has been left untouched and the restoration work will be taken up wherever required,” he said. The Ranamandal played an important role in defending the fort from enemy attacks with three cannons placed in vantage positions.

Funds

These cannons made of iron are still intact and, according to the records available, were manufactured by artisans at Lohar Galli in Gulbarga. Mr. Goel said that the ASI was being moved to release more funds to take up restoration of the remaining 3 acres around the Ranamandal to make it a tourism spot.

The fort, which has an outer wall and a moat all around, is one of the very few forts that had withstood the vagaries of weather espite very little being done to protect it.

Basavakalyan to be made more appealing to tourists

Source:  The Hindu

Bidar: The State Government plans to develop the historical city of Basavakalyan into a world-class tourism centre.
The State Government formed the Basavakalyan Development Board five years ago and provided it with seed money of Rs. 50 crore.
The Board has been identifying historical monuments and protecting them, apart from undertaking projects to beautify the town. The road connecting the fort to the national highway on the outskirts is being widened. Illegal structures on both sides of the road have been removed.
Compound walls have been built around all heritage structures related to the lives of the Sharanas. The caves where Lord Basaveshwara and other saints meditated have been cleaned and painted. Roads have been built to provide access. Construction of a ring road connecting all historic monuments is under way.
Other plans
Moreover, silt has been removed from the Tripuranta lake. Its banks have been secured with concrete double-lining. It now holds more water than it did last year. The museum near the fort has also been expanded. Sculptures and edicts that were found in recent excavations have been placed in the new annexe. Medicinal plant gardens have been developed in front of all the monuments. Plant varieties mentioned in the Vachanas and other religious literatures have been planted around the monuments and places of worship.
Also, a Yatri Nivas for travellers is under construction. Work on several rooms has already been completed. A passenger information centre is coming up in the office of the Board. All tourist information will be made available on the website http://www.basavakalyantown.gov.in/.
An expert committee comprising journalist Patil Puttappa, historian S. Shettar, retired director of the Archaeology Department A. Sundar, writer M.N. Javaraiah and geologist H. Chandrashekhar are advising the Board in drafting plans.

[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.

B.S. Yeddyurappa will soon be releasing Rs. 13 crore for development of roads in Davangere Lok Sabha constituency.

Source: The Hindu


.

DISSEMINATING INFORMATION:GM Siddeshwar, MP, addressinga a press conference in Davangere on Thursday DAVANGERE: Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa will soon be releasing Rs. 13 crore for development of roads in Davangere Lok Sabha constituency.
In a press statement released here on Thursday, G.M. Siddeshwar, MP, has said that the Chief Minister and the Minister for Public Works had assured him (Mr. Siddeshwar) of releasing the Rs. 13 crore soon for laying new roads and repairing and widening some roads in Davangere. Mr. Siddeshwar had, earlier, submitted a representation to the Chief Minister seeking Rs. 20 crore for the purpose.
Mr. Siddeshwar said that the work to lay the new roads and repair and widen some roads in different parts of the district, including Chennagiri, Harihar and Honnali taluks, would be taken up soon. He thanked Mr. Yeddyurappa for responding to his appeal quickly.

1,800 km of roads in Hyderabad Karnataka region being developed

Source: The Hindu


GULBARGA: Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd. (KRDCL) has taken up the development and upgrading of 1,800 km of roads under the Mega Road Development Programme in the Hyderabad Karnataka region.
Divisional Engineer of KRDCL Shashikant Warad told a meeting convened by the Hyderabad Karnataka Development Board here on Thursday that the development of the road network was taken up by the government through public private participation.
Mr. Warad admitted that the Hyderabad Karnataka region lagged behind in terms of road development. In fact, it was ranked last in the State in terms of development of road network, he said.
Stressing the need for more investment, Mr. Warad said as per a World Bank report, each investment of Rs. 10 lakh in road development would help 163 below poverty line (BPL) families. With a view to develop link roads in the Hyderabad Karnataka region, the KRDCL had conducted a feasibility study and taken up work on 15 roads after calling for tenders. The 15 link roads include Tavargera-Kanakagiri-Gangavi (42.9 km), Tavaragera-Sindhanur (41.1 km), Kushtagi-Tavaragera (23.2 km), Mudgal-Tavaragera (31.3 km), Gangavati-Kampli-Kuditini (41 km), Tintini-Chinchodi-Jalhalli-Karegud-Deva durg (32.3 km), Devadurg-Masarkal-Gobbur-Kalmala, Talikot-Hunasagi-Devapur (48.6 km), Chowdapur-Gulbarga (32.7 km), Afzalpur-Chowdapur (22.3 km), Maharashtra border near Hosur to Afzalpur (44.3 km), Bidar-Ekhelli (28 km), Ekhelli-Chincholi (33.5 km), Mundargi-Hadagali (24 km) and H|adagali-Harapanalli (27.7 km).
Proposal
The meeting also decided to submit a proposal to the State Government on developing and upgrading the State highway linking Khajuri-Aland-Belamgi-VK Salagar-Mahagopan-Ratkal-Sulepet, Aland-Nimbarga-Deval Gangapur-Jeratigi, Basavakalyan-Mudabi-Mahagoan, Basavakalyan-Kohinoor-VK Salagar, Nalwar-Sannati-Shirwal-Bhimarayanagudi, and Gulbarga-Shahabad-Wadi-Yadgir-Saidapur-Devasugur

[Bidar] Renovation work on Chandni Chabutra nearing completion

Source: The Hindu

New look:The Chandni Chabutra will serve as the venue for some cultural programmes during the Bidar Utsav.
Bidar: Renovation work on the Chandni Chabutra or “the platform for moonlit nights” is nearing completion. It will be thrown open to the public during the Bidar Utsav in February.
The Chandni Chabutra, a raised structure on the eastern side of the Bidar Fort, was built by Aurangzeb's governor Hamiduddin Khan in 1661. The platform offers a majestic view of the full moon over the Manjra river valley behind the fort. The structure remained neglected for years before the district administration took up the task of repairing and restoring it. Workers first cleared the entire area of shrubs and garbage. Then the platform was cleaned and levelled. A solid lime mortar base was discovered when workers dug up the ground before the dome. They also found an octagonal shaped pond below the main dome on the platform lined with coloured tiles and fixed with pipes. The dome was repaired and replastered using lime and mortar of the same quality. It has been painted in sundried lime and mud-bathed to give it an aged look.
A staircase has been built to reach the dome from the fort base.
“The Chandni Chabutra will serve as the venue for some cultural programmes during the Bidar Utsav,” Deputy Commissioner Sameer Shukla said.

[Belgaum] Camp to boast of an eco park

Source: All About Belgaum



The Cantonment area in the city is known for its greenery and to add to this green cover The Cantonment Board of Belgaum, is giving a New Year gift to the citizens of Belgaum by planning an ECO PARK.
The eco park will be spread over 3.2 acres and has been planned next to the Queens Garden at Camp.
The inauguration of the venue was carried out by planting medicinal herbs at the hands of Brig PJS Pannu, VSM, the outgoing Station Commander of the MLIRC and president of the Cantonment Board.
The project will be developed in such a way that it would attract children and tourists as well.
Recently the Queens garden was also cleaned up.
Giving details about the park Chief Executive Officer of Cantonment Board Vijay Rajak said that a large number of trees and herbs having medicinal values, ornamental shed trees, flowering trees etc would be planted around the park. For the convenience of the morning walkers, a walking track will be developed. Benches will also be put up all along the park for people to perform yoga and for the convenience of the senior citizens who can spend leisure time in this park.
Saplings were also planted at the hands of CEO Vijay Rajak, Vice President Deepak Bhati and Col Mishra, the Adm Commandant of the Station Head Quarters. Members of the Cantonment Board Dr Madan Dongare, Chandrashekhar Savadi, Thangraj Krishnan, Dr Rahila Shaikh , Vandana Rao, Asst Engineer Satish Mannurkar and others were present. , Vandana Rao, Asst Engineer Satish Mannurkar and others were present.

[Belgaum] Rs 15.2-cr action plan for infrastructure

Source: Times of India

BELGAUM: An action plan of Rs 35.47 crore has been readied to develop basic infrastructure in Belgaum city in the wake of World Kannada Meet (WKM) scheduled here for the second week of March.

Belgaum City Corporation (BCC), the public works department (PWD) and Belgaum Zilla Panchayat (ZP) have submitted the plan to the district administration, which will be forwarded to the government for sanction.

Of the Rs 15.27-crore plan, Rs 4.48 crore has been earmarked for road development, and Rs 4.87 crore for footpaths. Plans are also afoot to develop gardens, build road dividers, additional footpaths at Fort Lake, renovate main market, Kuvempu Hall, and painting of roadside walls, etc.

PWD has demanded Rs 18.80 crore for taking up works on 24 roads in the city. This apart, it will repair and paint 27 government office buildings off main roads at a cost of Rs 1.60 crore. With an estimated cost of Rs 2.50 crore, it plans to construct five arches at the entrances to the city __ near Sambra Road, Bachi Road, Peeranawadi Road, KLE Road and near Sankam Hotel.

PWD will also develop the district stadium, the main venue of the event. Development of pavilion gallery, hand rail, building toilets, waterproof pandal, VIP gallery, etc, are some of its other responsibilities. Parking space for vehicles will be made available on KEB premises.

ZP has sought Rs 1.40 crore to take up repair work of 40 government schools and hostel buildings. It will have to ensure toilet and drinking water facilities at these buildings as they would turn lodge for the delegates. A road will also be built between Desur Cross and Golf Cross.

"It's a preliminary action plan and there are chances of addition and deletion of some works," said DC Ekroop Kaur. The CM may hold a meeting with various committees formed for the purpose in Bangalore on January 7, she added.

Kite festival in Belgaum on Jan 16, 17

Source: Times of India

 

BELGAUM: The city will witness a night kite-flying event as part of international kite festival scheduled for January 16 and 17. The festival will be held at Nanawadi Stadium, while the night kite-flying event is on Fort Lake premises. Belgaum (south) MLA Abhaykumar Patil and Kite Clinic Club, a Bangalore-based forum of kite fliers, will organize the event.

Addressing mediapersons here on Sunday, club founder-secretary V K Rao said the night kite-flying event will feature kites of different sizes and shapes attached with lamps and lights.

Patil said about 15-20 national and 8-10 international teams would take part in the event. Each national team comprises four members while international teams will have two members each.

There are plans to bring foreigners from Goa to Belgaum for the festival. For this, Belgaum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hotel Owners' Association and the tourism department of Goa have been approached. Special transport facility would be made for foreign visitors, Patil said.

Children will be trained in flying the kites. A photo exhibition of various types of kites would also be organized.

Dharwad-Belgaum road to be six lane

Source: Times of India


DHARWAD: The congested Dharwad-Belgaum road will be made six-lane at a cost of Rs 500 crore. The work will begin soon.

Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi said the work has been awarded to Maharashtra-based Ashok Builders and the work on the 79.95 km road is expected to be completed within the next two years.

The project will be on Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (FBOT) basis. Joshi said the Union ministry had finalized the project and the work will begin by the end of this month. Of late, there has been heavy traffic between these two major commercial cities and traffic congestion was much high.

Thanking the Union minister for surface transport, Kamal Nath, for clearing the project, Joshi said the widening of the road into six lane will help the overall development of the Mumbai-Karnataka region.

He said similar projects between Haveri and Dharwad have also been proposed to the ministry.