The development of Devanahalli taluk, which hitherto has been focussed around the Bengaluru International Airport, received a shot in the arm on Tuesday as Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda laid the foundation stone for projects worth around Rs. 40 crore there.
The 29 projects include Sarva Shikshana Abhiyan schools, government colleges, police stations, a bus depot, a trauma care centre and primary healthcare centres, an electrical substation and a Dr. B.R. Ambekar Bhavan.
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Calling the launch of the projects a “triumph of political will”, Mr. Gowda said more money would be poured into the taluk, and the process for the setting up of an Aerospace Special Economic Zone would be expedited.
Also inaugurated was a Mini Vidhana Soudha, built at the cost of Rs. 4.3 crore in Devanahalli town to house government departments in the taluk.
The Chief Minister said it would allow citizens easier access to benefits and schemes. “Soon all 176 taluks in the State will have such a centre. Work has been complete in 99 centres, while it is ongoing in 51 taluk headquarters. We hope to start construction in the remaining taluks.”
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Developing tourism
Veerappa Moily, Union Minister for Corporate Affairs and MP from Chickaballapur, said Devanahalli taluk gained recognition as the birthplace of Kempe Gowda, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.
“If the Chief Minister approves, Rs. 25 crore will be used to develop Avatihalli, which is the birthplace of Kempe Gowda, under the mega tourism project,” he said.
Mr. Moily added that as a Cabinet Minister he would urge the Centre to name the international airport after Kempe Gowda.
Water problems
Among a slew of problems listed by K. Venkataswamy, Member of Legislative Assembly from Devanahalli, availability of clean drinking water was a pressing concern in the region. “The taluk suffers from acute drinking water shortage, with more than 1,500 households here having no access to it. If this situation continues, there will be no water in the taluk in the next five years,” he said.
In this regard, Mr. Moily said that Rs. 200 crore would be allotted from the budget to “fill up” Hessarghatta and T.G. Halli lakes within the next two years after the State Government submits a proposal for the project.
The Chief Minister added that a discussion would be held with experts and elected representatives of the region to strengthen waterworks in the region.
Minister for Labour B.N. Bache Gowda, Social Welfare Minister A. Narayanaswamy also spoke at the occasion, highlighting water problems and social problems in the region respectively.