Karnataka - Bellary   

Separate authority likely to monitor Bellary’s progress

BELLARY: The State Government is likely to establish a separate authority to monitor the development of Bellary district as an industrial hub.

Minister for Tourism and Infrastructure Development G. Janardhan Reddy told presspersons here on Sunday that the Centre for Environment Planning and Technology, which had prepared a master plan for Gujarat, had come out with a master plan on the utilisation of land between Hospet and Sandur taluks, as well as in Bellary taluk for industrial development, construction of satellite townships and infrastructure development.

He said that during a recent discussion with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, the latter showed interest in an “industrial” Bellary, and sought to form a sub-committee to study its possibility.

“Mr. Yeddyurappa has asked me to head the committee, in which the Principal Secretaries of various departments concerned, the Deputy Commissioner of Bellary, the chairmen of the urban development authorities in the district and the Commissioner of the Hampi World Heritage Area Management Authority, will serve as members. Very soon, a meeting of the sub-committee will be held to frame guidelines for the proposed authority, besides discussing steps to be taken for implementing the master plan systematically,” he said.

Reiterating that steps were being taken to transform Bellary into a model city, he said that with the grant of Rs. 50 crore given by the Chief Minister in the current year’s budget, and also with the Rs. 15 crore given by the National Mineral Development Corporation, a detailed plan was being chalked out to improve infrastructure here. “It has been a long-cherished dream of ours to develop Bellary city and give it the required infrastructure. Laying of roads may be given out on contract to big players, so that proper work is ensured. I have convened a meeting of officials of all departments concerned to ensure that work on the bypass and the ring road starts from August 15,” he said.

Mr. Reddy said he had planned to have a permanent sound and light programme at the Bellary Fort, depicting the life of “paleyagar” Hande Hanumappa Nayak who built it, his rule and other aspects of history.

There were plans to introduce boating at Nagalacheruvu, a lake near the fort. “These initiatives are aimed at attracting more tourists,” he added.

T.H. Suresh Babu, Kampli MLA, was present.

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