The proposed cable-car project mooted by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in this Budget is likely to give a boost to tourism in the drought-prone Madhugiri taluk in the district.
Situated at a distance of 38 km from Tumakuru city and 107 km from Bengaluru, Madhugiri Hill (Madhugiri Betta in Kannada) is one of the largest monolithic hills in Asia, with a height of 3,930 ft. It attracts thousands of trekking enthusiasts every year, despite the lack of infrastructure.
As Madhugiri is perennially a drought-hit region, people migrate from the villages to cities such as Bengaluru and Hyderabad in search of jobs in large numbers. The taluk does not have any industries which can provide employment to the local people.
K.N. Rajanna, Madhugiri MLA, who was among the first to demand for the cable-car project, welcomed the government move to develop Madhugiri as a tourist centre. He said it would help preserve heritage, develop tourism and indirectly generate employment, and help the overall development in the region.
