Belgaum: With the pro-Maharashtra forces intensifying their movement to realise their "dream" of seeing Belgaum, Karwar and adjoining areas as part of "Samyukta Maharashtra", the State Government has made several promises to "develop" the boundary areas with special focus on Belgaum.

Chief Minister H.D. Kumarswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa promised to sanction Rs. 266 crore in a phased manner towards implementing various proposals, including Rs. 65 crore towards remodelling of the drinking water supply lines and another Rs. 6 crore for airport work at Sambra during their visit to the district last month.

The two also promised to accord administrative approval for the Rs. 45-crore project on remodelling the drainage system in the city; sanction Rs. 50 crore to improve the inter-State highway between Belgaum and Goa up to Chorla Ghat. The Chief Minister reportedly asked the potential investors in the industrial sector to look into the potential of Belgaum as against the "congested" Bangalore.

Ironically, the people are becoming sceptical about the Government for the fact that none of the promises made by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister early last month had seen light of the day. Not even the promise of providing Rs. 65 crore for remodelling the drinking water supply scheme and Rs. 6 crore for Sambra airport.

A senior official in the district administration told The Hindu that the Government had not released any money (as promised by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister).

The people had not forgotten how the previous S.M. Krishna Government had been making promises but conveniently forgot when it came to put words in practice.

In 2001, a section of Marathi corporators, led by the former Mayor Sambhaji Patil and Kannada leaders led by the former MP Amarsinh Patil, Congress MLA Ramesh L. Kudachi, the former Mayor and veteran Kannada activist Siddangouda Patil and former Belgaum Urban Development Authority Chairman Anil Potdar had made a common cause to float "Samabhashik Samavichar Vikas Vedike" with the specific objective of working for the development of the city. They had taken a delegation and met the then Chief Minister S.M. Krishna to plead te city's case; a specific project on remodelling old drinking water supply and drainage lines involving about Rs. 130 crore was submitted.

Mr. Krishna promised to concede their demand. But his Government sanctioned no money to take up the project. But for a "big gift" coming in the shape of a government medical college with the former Minister from the district Prakash B. Hukkeri playing a key role in this regard and re-starting beautification work on the lake in the fort in the city, even the Dharam Singh-led Congress-Janata Dal (S) coalition Government did not do anything significant for the region.

The only solace for the people is the holding of "Vishwa Kannada Sammelan" and construction of "Vikas Soudha" in Belgaum. Official sources said land has been identified in the heart of the city to build Vikas Soudha.

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