SHIVAMOGGA: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced several projects for the states' central and Malnad districts Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga and Davanagere. The announcements include irrigating 75,000 acre of land in Chitradurga district, food park for Shivamogga, spice park for Chikkamaluru, planetarium in Shivamogga, GTTC at Chitradurga, and a high security jail in Shivamogga besides scope for health infrastructure.
Siddaramaiah criticised the Centre for not walking the talk on releasing Rs 5,300 crore for implementation of Upper Bhadra Project and declaring it as a national project. However, he announced that about 75,000 acres of land in Chitradurga district will be brought under irrigation besides pursuing the Centre to release the grants as promised. He also announced the construction of a bridge-cumbarrage across Varada river of Soraba taluk.
The CM announced that a food park will be established under Public-Private Partnership (PPP) near Shivamogga Airport to promote processing, value addition and export of agricultural and horticultural produce. A spice park will be developed in Chikkamagaluru district under PPP to encourage spice growing farmers and to promote export of spices. A modern fish market will come up at Bhadravathi and Rs 6 crore will be sanctioned to promote fisheries in mining affected areas of Chitradurga, Holalkere and Hosadurga taluk.
As far as health is concerned, the CM announced a state-of-the-art critical care block for Davanagere to provide better healthcare to patients suffering with critical illnesses. A 100-bedded taluk hospital will come up at Sringeri. A digital mammography machine will be provided to Davanagere for early diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and cervical cancer. An Integrated and Public Health Laboratory (IPHL) will be set up in Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga to provide qualitative and affordable laboratory services. The CM said that the construction of the medical college building, hostel and staff quarters of the Medical College and Research Institute in Chitradurga will be completed.
A new Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC) will be set up in Chitradurga with the financial assistance of NABARD. A new railway overbridge will be taken up between Shivamogga-Bommanakatte.
Karnataka Innovation of Technology Solutions (KITS), in collaboration with KEONICS, will establish a Skilling and Innovation Center in emerging technologies in Shivamogga. A new science centre/planetarium will be established at Shivamogga with central assistance. A high-security prison will be constructed in Shivamogga district at a cost of Rs 100 crore.
Major announcements for Central, Malnad Karnataka
- Irrigating 75,000 acres of land in Chitradurga district
- Food park for Shivamogga, spice park for Chikkamagaluru
- Constructing a planetarium in Shivamogga
- GTTC for Chitradurga
- A high-security jail in Shivamogga
- State-of-the-art critical care block for Davanagere
- 100-bedded taluk hospital at Sringeri
- Digital mammography machine to Davanagere
- IPHL in Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga
- Railway overbridge between Shivamogga-Bommanakatte
- Establishing Skilling and Innovation Center in emerging technologies in Shivamogga