Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has unveiled a comprehensive plan for the development of infrastructure, educational initiatives, and economic corridors in Bellary, Vijayanagara and other districts in the Kalyana Karnataka region. The proposed schemes under the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) will allocate funds amounting to Rs 5,000 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25.
In his budget speech, the Chief Minister outlined various projects focused on the progress of Bellary, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Koppal, Yadgir, and Vijayanagara districts within the Kalyana Karnataka region. To address the need for a skilled workforce, a Skill Academy in Sandur, Ballari will be established at a cost of Rs. 300 crore. The government will also set up a common facility center and Jeans Apparel park in Ballari to formalize the presently unorganized jeans manufacturing units and elevate the industry to international standards.
Educational initiatives include the establishment of constituent colleges in Koppal, Bidar, Yadagiri, Raichur, and Kalaburagi districts, and the introduction of Government High Schools and pre-university colleges through collaboration with the KKRDB.
The Chief Minister addressed healthcare concerns in the region by allocating Rs. 7 crore for strengthening ICDT (Integrated Counselling and Diagnostic Treatment) centers in Kalaburagi and Koppal, specifically targeting the treatment of Haemophilia and Thalassemia.
The Kalyana Patha scheme aims to develop 1,150 km of roads, paralleling the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, at a cost of Rs. 1000 crore in 38 rural assembly constituencies of Kalyana Karnataka. Additionally, the Nanna Guruthu scheme will be implemented in 1,000 Gram Panchayats to secure government documents for rural individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Digilocker App.
In a move to stimulate economic development, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of dedicated economic corridors. One corridor will connect Mangaluru port to Bengaluru, facilitating faster access to the port and reducing freight transport time to Europe and the Middle East. Another corridor will link Bidar to Bengaluru, accelerating the economic development of the Kalyana Karnataka region.
The budget also pledges the creation of new textile parks in Kittur Karnataka, Kalyana Karnataka (Raichur), and Mysuru regions through public-private partnerships, generating an anticipated 10,000 jobs in the coming years. Additionally, 46 new Primary Health Centers will be set up through KKRDB at a cost of Rs. 221 crore.
Siddaramaiah highlighted the allocation of funds for various developmental projects, including grants for the Shri Nanak Jhira Sahib Gurudwara in Bidar, the revival of the ancient water supply system (‘Karez’) in Bidar and Vijayapur districts, and eco-tourism and conservation programs in the Honnikeri reserve forest and nearby biodiverse areas of Bidar district.
To address the water supply needs of Kalaburagi city, a scheme costing Rs. 365 crore will be initiated to fill the Bennethora reservoir from Bhima and Kagina rivers. Additionally, a Child Health Care Unit will be established in the Kalaburagi Medical College hospital with technical assistance from the Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health.
The Chief Minister assured the expeditious implementation of the Raichur airport project at a cost of Rs. 220 crore. To resolve the issue of reduced water storage capacity in the Tungabhadra reservoir due to silt accumulation, a detailed project report has been prepared for constructing a balancing reservoir near Navali in Koppal district at a cost of Rs. 15,600 crore.
In terms of skill development, Karnataka Innovation of Technology Solutions (KITS) will collaborate with KEONICS to establish Skilling & Innovation Centers in emerging technologies in Kalaburagi, along with Shivamogga, Hubbali, and Tumakuru.
