PROMOTING CULTURE: Kannada and Culture Minister H.S. Mahadev Prasad laying the foundation stone for the Suvarna Samskritika Samuchchya in Madikeri on Tuesday.

Madikeri: Minister for Science and Technology and Kodagu district in-charge Ramachandra Gowda on Tuesday said the State Cabinet had approved the construction of a mini airport at Kushalnagar in Kodagu with a view to promoting tourism in the district.

He was speaking at the foundation stone-laying function for the Suvarna Cultural Complex, near the district stadium here.

The proposal for the mini airport had been submitted to the authorities concerned, he said. Another proposal to lay broad gauge rail line between Kushalnagar and Hassan had been submitted to the railways. The plain lands available in Kushalnagar, unlike other parts of the district, had come in handy for the airport proposal.

Mr. Gowda said the proposed music varsity would promote art and culture of the State. The art and culture of Kodagu, including its folklore, would be given preference in the scheme of things.

Minister for Kannada and Culture H.S. Mahadev Prasad, who laid the foundation stone for the cultural complex, said the Government had planned such complexes in six districts, including Kodagu. Various Kannada programmes were going on as part of the Suvarna Karnataka year. The Government had planned to construct 52 "Gadi Bhavans,, in the border taluks, of which five would be built in the current year. Mr. Prasad said 10 Suvarna Ranga Mandira would be built in different parts of the State and 11 existing ones upgraded.

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