Govt promises all help to north Karnataka

Minister for public works and energy H D Revanna has reiterated that the state government is committed to provide all necessary help for the development of North Karnataka.

Speaking to reporters in Dharwad on Tuesday he said the national highways and state highways would be strengthened in order to develop the region.

He said the state government has sent a proposal to Centre for converting the Dharwad-Ramnagar stretch of 82 Kms into four-lane road at a cost of Rs 70 crore under Central Road Fund. The road connects Karnataka, Goa and Kerala via Dakshina Kannada district. Similarly the government has sought Centre's help for Hubli-Ankola road.

He said the 390 km state highway in Dharwad district would be repaired. The government has sanctioned Rs 3 lakh per km but the requirement is Rs 6-10 lakh Per Km, he added.

Revanna said ring road between Hubli and Dharwad, new building for high circuit bench at Dharwad at a cost of RS 70 crore and upgradation of Hubli airport were being taken up. He denied that North Karnataka had received a raw deal in the proposals sent by the state to Centre for strengthening of roads under CRF.

Revanna informed that 500 power stations would be established in the state at a cost of Rs 15,000 crore by 2012. The government aimed at establishing 300 sub stations in next three years. All the five electricity supply companies in the state would call tenders simultaneously.

The minister reviewed the performance of HESCOM and PWD in Dharwad district.