Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Tuesday that the government plans to develop Kalaburagi into a smart city with an investment of Rs 1,685 crore. The project is part of the broader initiative to ensure the development of the entire Kalyana Karnataka region.
Under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana 2.0, Rs 200 crore each will be allocated for infrastructure development in Kalaburagi and Ballari municipal corporations. Siddaramaiah made this announcement during the ‘Kalyana Karnataka Amrut Mahotsav’ celebration, which also marked the 10th anniversary of the region’s special status under Article 371(J) of the Constitution.
Reflecting on the region’s history, Siddaramaiah noted that while India gained independence in 1947, the districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Raichur, then under Nizam rule, secured their freedom a year later. The Kalyana Karnataka region became part of India due to the sacrifices of freedom fighters and the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. “I pay my respects to all who fought for the liberation of Kalyana Karnataka,” he said.
Boosting road connectivity and rural development
The CM also announced the “Kalyana Patha” initiative, designed to enhance road connectivity and rural development in the region. The state government will construct 1,150 kilometres of rural roads with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
Siddaramaiah also reaffirmed the state’s support for establishing an AIIMS institute in Raichur and called on the Central government to expedite the project. He shared the government’s goal of generating 4.85 crore person-days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for 2024-25, noting that 3.43 crore person-days of employment had already been created, benefitting 13.69 lakh people.
Additionally, Rs 100 crore will be allocated for tourism development around Anjanadri Hill in Koppal district. In Ballari, the state aims to organize and modernise the jeans industry by creating a Jeans Apparel Park and Common Facility Centre.
The 2024-25 budget includes a Rs 5,000 crore allocation for the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board, which will fund various regional development projects. A committee led by Professor Govind Rao will study economic and social disparities in the region and propose strategies to reduce inequalities.
During the event, Siddaramaiah paid tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by garlanding his statue at SVP Chowk in Kalaburagi. He emphasised the region’s rich contributions to Kannada language, literature, culture, and the Sharana movement led by Basavanna, which laid the foundation for social equality.
He concluded by urging the people of Karnataka never to forget the struggles endured, stating that Kalyana Karnataka had fought four key battles: the Indian freedom struggle, liberation from Nizam’s rule, the unification of Kannada-speaking regions, and the fight for special status under Article 371(J).
(With agency inputs)