Cabinet Approves Rs 3,500 Crore Development Package for North Karnataka
Irrigation, urban infrastructure, and judicial reforms get boost as government prioritizes regional development
Belagavi, Dec 19: In a significant move for North Karnataka, the Cabinet on Thursday approved a Rs 3,500-crore development package during the penultimate day of the Belagavi winter session, signalling renewed focus on long-standing regional aspirations.
Of the total outlay, Rs 1,503 crore has been allocated for irrigation projects, highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening the agrarian economy in the drought-prone region. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to formally announce the package while addressing the North Karnataka debate in the Assembly on Friday.
The Cabinet also approved a Bill on district level judicial reforms, set to be tabled in the legislature, while the politically sensitive issue of internal reservation in promotions was deferred with no timeline announced.
On urban infrastructure, administrative approval was granted for three Public Private Partnership (PPP) packages for transporting and processing construction material in Greater Bengaluru. Each package will handle 750 tonnes per day, totalling 2,250 tonnes, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,715 crore over 15 years.
Adding to the infrastructure push in Belagavi, the Cabinet approved a long-cherished flyover (elevated corridor) project, a flagship initiative of the Public Works Department and Belagavi district in charge minister Satish Jarkiholi. The ambitious project, estimated at Rs 4,500 crore, aims to ease traffic congestion and ensure smooth vehicular movement across key city junctions.
According to the blueprint by Hubballi based VLS Consultants, the main flyover alignment will stretch 3.6 km from Sankam Hotel to Dharmaveer Sambhaji Circle, with a total corridor length of approximately 4.5 km connecting NH-48 to Kittur Rani Chennamma Circle via Ashok Circle and Sangolli Rayanna Circle. The elevated four-lane deck will be 18 metres wide.
With major allocations for irrigation, urban infrastructure, and judicial reforms, the Cabinet decisions set a decisive tone for the concluding phase of the Belagavi session, placing North Karnataka at the centre of the government’s development agenda.
