Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar promised to provide the State’s share of funds towards laying a new railway line between Dharwad and Belgaum.
He was speaking after unveiling stone plaques at a function organised to mark the foundation-laying ceremony for development works worth Rs. 250 crore, in the Saundatti Assembly constituency here on Friday.
Responding to a suggestion by Suresh C. Angadi, MP, that the Railway Ministry was willing to begin work on the proposed rail line if the State offered to meet 50 per cent of the cost, Mr. Shettar said the survey on the proposed line was already in progress. The State government would provide funds if the Centre released its share towards the project.
He also promised to expedite the work under the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project. The government would also begin work on the long-pending Veerabhadra Lift Irrigation Scheme in the district soon, he added. Mr. Shettar said the budget would be presented in February, and the proposals therein would reflect the specific development needs of various districts.
Several major development works had been implemented in the State during the past 50 months. The Chief Minister listed out various schemes being implemented by the government.
Agricultural varsity
Earlier, Mr. Angadi urged the Chief Minister to establish an agricultural university in Belgaum, for which 750 acres of land was available. He had also urged the government to advise the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board to acquire lands between Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belgaum and the Circuit Bench of the Karnataka High Court in Dharwad .
Anand C. Mamani, who represents Saundatti Assembly constituency, thanked the Chief Minister for supporting the development programmes. Jagadish Metgud and Abhay Patil, MLAs, were present.
