Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced a series of major development initiatives for Kalyana Karnataka, highlighting significant investments to boost the region’s infrastructure and economy.
Funds totaling ₹100 crore will be allocated to enhance tourism around Anjanadri Hill in Koppal district, while ₹397 crore is earmarked for constructing a bridge-cum-barrage across the Tungabhadra River in Manvi taluk. Additionally, ₹130 crore will be invested in building administrative buildings across 18 new taluks, and a Jeans Apparel Park along with a Common Facility Centre will be established in Ballari to elevate local industries to world-class standards.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced plans to develop Kalaburagi into a smart city, aimed at improving the quality of life for residents and attracting investment in underdeveloped regions. The announcement was made during the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav, commemorating the 76th year of the region’s liberation.
Siddaramaiah also reiterated the state’s readiness to support the establishment of an AIIMS institute in Raichur and called on the central government to expedite the process.
In his address, the CM highlighted that despite India gaining independence in 1947, the districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Raichur, which were under the Nizam of Hyderabad’s rule, achieved freedom only a year later. He attributed the region’s liberation to the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the efforts of leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Key Development Projects in Kalyana Karnataka:
- Navali Project: A balancing reservoir will be constructed to improve water storage and management for the Tungabhadra reservoir.
- Tourism Development: ₹100 crore has been allocated to develop tourism around Anjanadri Hill in Koppal district.
- Ballari Jeans Apparel Park: A Jeans Apparel Park and Common Facility Centre will be established in Ballari to elevate local jeans industries to world-class standards.
- Irrigation: The Yaddalli-Kachuru lift irrigation project, costing ₹140 crore, has been approved for Sedam taluk.
- Health Initiatives: A 150-bed children’s health unit will be set up in Kalaburagi, with ₹221 crore allocated for the project, alongside ₹220 crore earmarked for improving healthcare services and infrastructure in the region.
- Employment Generation: The government aims to generate 4.85 crore person-days of employment in the region under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in 2024-25.
Siddaramaiah also noted that ₹5,000 crore has been allocated to the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board in the 2024-25 budget to fund regional development projects.
The CM highlighted the progress made in the region since 2013-14, with ₹19,778 crore allocated to the Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board (KKRDB). Of this, ₹13,229 crore has been released and ₹11,174 crore has been spent on various projects, including 35,885 taken up, with 27,264 completed so far.