Road users have to be prepared to shell out more as the Karnataka government has proposed to levy toll on nine state highways (SH) for maintenance purpose.
Presenting the 2013-14 budget here on Friday, Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said substantial lengths of roads in the State were upgraded during the last five years. They are, Kalmala Junction to Sindhanur – 76.7 km; Hattigudur to Bidar – 188.43 km; Krishna Bridge near Bijapur to Lokapur – 55.64 km; Sankeshwara to Yadavada – 77.7 km; Hunagunda to Belgaum – 170.31 km; Hiriyur to Bellary – 144 km; Bilikere to Belur via Hassan – 130 km; Yadgir to Andhra Pradesh border and Andhra Pradesh border to Shahapur. The nine SHs are proposed to be brought under user fee toll basis for a period of 10 years.
He said during 2013-14, 616 km of SH, between Pavagada and Andhra Pradesh border and NH 13 Jagalur to SH 19 would be developed under assistance from Asian Development Bank at a cost of Rs. 1,330 crore while 269 km of SH between Hosakote-Chintamani; Dharwad-Saudatti and Chodapura-Gulbarga would be developed at a cost of Rs. 657 crore under financial assistance from the World Bank. Also, Karnataka Road Development Corporation would develop 612 km of 14 SHs at a cost of Rs. 1,615 crore.
Mr. Shettar provided Rs. 1,000 crore to Public Works Department (PWD) and Rs. 400 crore to Zilla Panchayats for maintenance of roads and said this allocation was higher by 24 per cent compared to allocations made last year. While road development and bridge construction works would be undertaken in Naxal-infested Hosanagara and Thirthalli taluks of Shimoga district, Agumbe Ghat connecting Chickmaglur/Shimoga districts with Udupi district would also be improved, Mr. Shettar said.
Infrastructure
Mr. Shettar said the state government will provide Rs. 440 crore during 2013-14 as its share towards various ongoing railway projects on cost-sharing basis in the state. The Chief Minister said Karnataka Strategic Infrastructure Plan will be prepared for strategic infrastructure demand assessment, project identification and prioritisation.
Pre-feasibility study of Chennai-Bangalore-Mysore high speed rail project and the preparation of Kasargod-Mangalore-Udupi as well as Bangalore-Hubli-Belgaum high speed rail projects will be taken up. Logistic parks will be established at Harohalli, Kanakapura Taluk, Vasantanarasapura, Tumkur Taluk, Hassan and Hubli under public-private partnership.
The infrastructure development department will be provided with Rs. 710 crore during 2013-14, he said.
Urban development
Mr. Shettar said water supply will be improved to round the clock level in Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Puttur, Udupi, Kundapur, Bhatkal, Ankola and Karwar. Underground drainage and water supply systems will be provided to Tungabhadra River-basin cities of Davanagere, Harihara, Ranebennur and Byadagi through ADB assistance.
About 3,000 kms of roads in 211 towns will be upgraded at a cost of Rs. 1,810 crore under Nagarotthana 2nd Phase while special development works will be taken up in Tumkur town. Solid waste management programme will be launched under PPP-basis in Hubli-Dharwad at a cost of Rs. 100 crore even as the twin city will get a multi-storied car parking again under PPP.
