SHIMOGA: Water Resources Minister K.S. Eshwarappa said here on Wednesday that the foundation stone will be laid soon for the Rs. 28-crore augmented water supply scheme for Shimoga as the Government has already made the token allocation of Rs. 2 crores to commence work on the project. The remaining amount will be released through the Karnataka Urban Water Supply and Drainage Board, which is the implementing agency for the scheme, he added.

Participating in a meet-the-press programme organised by the Shimoga District Working Journalists' Association, he said a bridge will be constructed across the Tunga on BH Road in Shimoga at an estimated cost of Rs. 7 crores.

He said five acres of land has been allotted beside the Circuit House here for the construction of the Suvarna Karnataka Bhavan at an estimated cost of Rs. 3.5 crores. Of this sum, Rs. 50 lakhs has already been released, he added. He said the road between the Tunga bridge and the bus stand will be widened and blacktopped soon.

Indoor stadium

Mr. Eshwarappa said an indoor stadium will be developed on two acres of land adjacent to the Nehru Stadium at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs.

Other projects for Shimoga city in the pipeline include an airport and the revival of the sugar factory, he said and added that though four parties have been approached to take over the Tungabhadra Sugar Factory here, there has been no response from them.

He reiterated his stand that the private bus stand will not be shifted to the Millaghatta tank bed as proposed earlier. On the contrary, it will be expanded by acquiring the land adjacent to the Shimoga City Municipal Council.

Cricket stadium

Mr. Eshwarappa said he will take up with the authorities of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, the need to commence work on the cricket stadium at the Navule tank, which has been allotted to it by the Shimoga Urban Development Authority.

He said repair work will commence soon on the Bhadra right bank canal, and added that the construction of the 5-km channel between Umblebylu and Santhekadur and the desilting of the tanks in Shimoga taluk will be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 8 crores.

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