"Kalaburagi to Transform into Smart City with ₹1,685 Crore Investment, Announces Karnataka CM"

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Tuesday plans to transform Kalaburagi into a smart city with an investment of ₹1,685 crore, as part of a broader initiative to develop the entire Kalyana Karnataka region. Under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana 2.0, ₹200 crore each will be allocated for infrastructure development in the Kalaburagi and Ballari municipal corporations.

The Chief Minister made the announcement during the 'Kalyana Karnataka Amrut Mahotsav' celebration and the 10th anniversary of granting special status to the region under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. In his address, he highlighted the historical significance of Kalyana Karnataka, noting that the districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Raichur gained independence from the Nizam of Hyderabad a year after India's 1947 independence. He paid tribute to the freedom fighters and acknowledged the roles of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in the region's liberation.

Siddaramaiah also outlined various development projects for Kalyana Karnataka. The state has launched the "Kalyana Patha" scheme, which will build 1,150 kilometers of roads in rural assembly constituencies at a cost of ₹1,000 crore. He also urged the central government to expedite the establishment of an AIIMS institute in Raichur, pledging the state's full support.

For the 2024-25 fiscal year, the state government aims to generate 4.85 crore person-days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the region, having already created 3.43 crore person-days, benefiting over 13 lakh people.

In Koppal district, ₹100 crore will be allocated to develop tourism at Anjanadri Hill and surrounding areas. Additionally, Ballari will see the development of a Jeans Apparel Park and Common Facility Centre to upgrade the local jeans industry to international standards.

The 2024-25 budget has allocated ₹5,000 crore to the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board for various projects, marking a new phase of progress in the region. A committee led by Professor Govind Rao will study economic and social changes in the area and propose strategies to reduce inequalities, Siddaramaiah added.

ET