The Shivamogga–Shikaripura–Ranebennur new line to cost Rs.990 crore
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stone and inaugurated multiple development projects worth more than Rs.3,600 crore at Shivamogga, Karnataka, on 27 Feb 2023.
He laid the foundation stone for two railway projects in Shivamogga which include Shivamogga–Shikaripura–Ranebennur new Railway line and Koteganguru Railway coaching depot.
He also laid the foundation stone for multiple road development projects to be developed at a cumulative cost of more than Rs.215 crore as well as multi-village schemes worth more than Rs.950 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
The Prime Minister inaugurated Shivamogga Airport and 44 Smart City Projects worth more than Rs.895 crores in Shivamogga city.
The new airport is developed at a cost of around Rs.450 crore. The terminal building of the airport can handle 300 passengers per hour and will improve connectivity and accessibility of Shivamogga and other neighbouring areas in the Malnad region.
He remarked that it is not just an airport but a campaign where the dreams of the younger generations can take off.
He also touched upon the road and rail projects along with the ‘Har Ghar Nal Se Jal’ projects while laying foundation stones.
Modi said that the development of Karnataka is on the move. “This path of progress is paved by strides in roadways, airways and iways (digital connectivity).”
The Prime Minister also highlighted the wider spread of development in Karnataka to villages and tier 2-3 cities. “The development of Shivamogga is the result of this thinking process.”
He noted the expanding aviation market of India and informed that the country will require thousands of aircrafts in the near future where thousands of youthful citizens will be needed as a workforce.
“The new airport is going to open doors of development for Shivamogga, the land of nature, culture and agriculture,” said the Prime Minister
The new airport will help in increasing tourism, resulting economic activity and employment opportunities.
The rail connectivity will ensure new markets for the farmers, he added.
The Shivamogga–Shikaripura–Ranebennur new Railway line will be developed at a cost of Rs.990 crore and will provide enhanced connectivity between Malnad region with the Bengaluru-Mumbai mainline.
Koteganguru Railway coaching depot at Shivamogga city will be developed at a cost of more than Rs.100 crores to help start new trains from Shivamogga and decongest maintenance facilities at Bengaluru and Mysuru.
Modi highlighted that the capacity of Kotagangaur station, which used to be a short halt station, will get a boost after the construction of a new coaching terminal. He informed that it is now being developed with 4 railway lines, 3 platforms and a railway coaching depot.
Other projects, which will be developed at a cumulative cost of more than Rs.215 crore, include the construction of a new Bypass road for Shikaripura Town on NH 766C connecting Byndur–Ranibennur; widening of NH-169A from Megaravalli to Agumbe; and construction of a new bridge at Bharathipura in Thirthahally Taluk on NH 169.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multi-village schemes worth more than Rs.950 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission during the programme.
This includes the inauguration of one multi-village scheme for Gowthamapura and 127 other villages and laying the foundation stone for three other multi-village schemes to be developed at a total cost of more than Rs.860 crore.
The schemes will provide functional household piped water connections and are expected to benefit a total of more than 4.4 lakh people.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated 44 Smart City Projects worth more than Rs.895 crores in Shivamogga city.
The projects include 8 smart road packages of 110 km length; integrated command & control center and multi-level car parking; smart bus shelter projects; an intelligent solid waste management system; development of heritage projects like Shivappa Naik Palace into an interactive museum, 90 conservancy lanes, creation of parks and riverfront development projects, among others.
“Infrastructure with good connectivity is going to create new employment opportunities in the entire region,” Modi underlined.
He noted that investors from all over the world want to invest in India and it will benefit Karnataka and its youth here.
He assured everyone at the ceremony that this campaign for the development of Karnataka will pick up more pace. “We have to walk together. We have to move forward together.” fiinews.com
