BIJAPUR: Bagalkot MLA Veeranna Charanthimath is tipped to head the Bagalkot Town Development Authority (BTDA), a unit formed in 1984 to look into the problems arising out of the partial submergence of the town in the backwaters of the Alamatti dam.

The BJP has recommended the candidature of Mr. Charanthimath for the post and a formal announcement is expected soon. This has enhanced the expectation of the people of Bagalkot as he had been in the forefront of agitations.

Prior to his election as MLA in 2004, he had fought for the cause of affected citizens as chairman of the Bagalkot Chamber of Commerce. He was an active member of the Bagalkot Punarutthana Horata Samiti headed by Ashok Limbavali that has been agitating for years seeking better deal for those affected. One demand of the samiti was that all property, including buildings located 521 to 523 metres from the mean sea level, be acquired by paying adequate compensation. The Krishna Government on November 16, 2002 announced a Rs. 638-crore special package for the comprehensive development of Bagalkot and its rehabilitation township of Navanagar that is 5 km away from old town.

However, according to sources, very little of the funds has been spent since then. There has been some progress in the link road construction, development of layouts at Navanagar and improvement of water supply and underground drainage. In 2003, the Government issued a 4 (1) notification as a first step towards acquiring property. However, it lapsed as the Government did not take the next step within a year.

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