From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Mar 4: The State Government has sanctioned a total of Rs 161 crore comprising Rs 57.63 crore for Mysuru and Tumakuru airport works and Rs 93.62 crore for Tumakuru-Davangere and Gadag-Wadi railway works, industries and infrastrucure development minister M B Patil announced on Monday.
He said the Tumakuru-Davangere and Gadag-Wadi railway projects, are in the final stage of the land acquisition process. Out of the total funds, Rs 50 crore will be for Tumakuru-Davangere and Rs 43.32 crore for Gadag-Wadi works.
An amount of Rs 57.63 crore has been released for the works of Mysuru and Raichuru airports. Out of this, an amount of Rs 14.62 crore will be allocated for the works of Raichur airport. The remaining about Rs 43 crore will be used for the runway extension and upgradation of the Mysuru airport, he said.
The Tumakuru-Davangere railway project will connect Tumakuru with central Karnataka, is important from the perspective of the state's development facilitating faster commute to parts of North Karnataka.
Likewise, the development of the Gadag-Wadi railway work will connect Kittur including Hubballi with several cities of Maharashtra including Mumbai, Patil explained.
Once completed, these projects will give impetus to economic activities including infrastructure development in many districts, he added.
Though railway projects come under the union government, the state government bears 50% of the total cost for some projects. Both of the above railway works will be carried out at a rapid pace after completion of the land acquisition process which is currently in the final stage in both of the above works, the minister stated.
"Industries are expanding to all parts of the state and agro-based industries are also increasing. Considering market expansion, easy transportation, and smooth and quick travel, airports are being developed and keeping this in mind, grants have been released for Mysuru and Raichur airport projects. The government intends to have a well-equipped airport in every district," the minister emphasised.