Chief Minister launches ₹1,917 crore worth of development works for Kalyana Karnataka

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Artists performing during the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav at the Police Parade Ground in Kalaburagi on Thursday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday launched 940 development works worth ₹1,917.13 crore for the seven districts of Kalyana Karnataka during the 79th Kalyana Karnataka Utsav celebrations in Kalaburagi.

The works include 687 projects worth ₹768.75 crore taken up through the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) and 253 works worth ₹1,148.38 crore being implemented by various other departments. The projects included the inauguration of completed works and the foundation-laying for new ones.

Kalaburagi accounted for the highest share, with 223 works worth ₹1,105.63 crore, followed by Koppal with 293 works worth ₹258.03 crore, and Raichur with 213 works worth ₹184.21 crore. The works in Bidar included 74 projects worth ₹178.86 crore, Yadgir included 72 projects worth ₹48.62 crore, Ballari accounted for 42 projects worth ₹122.39 crore, and Vijayanagar for 23 projects worth ₹19.36 crore.

Mr. Shivakumar also flagged off 24 new buses of the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC). The corporation is procuring 56 buses at a cost of ₹33.35 crore, comprising 20 non-AC sleeper buses, 20 AC sleeper buses, and 16 AC seater buses. The 24 buses flagged off were the first batch of the procurement.

The buses, branded as ‘Mini Kalyana Ratha’, ‘Amoghavarsha’, and ‘Executive Chair Car’, were manufactured according to prescribed automotive safety standards. They are equipped with automatic fire-extinguishing systems, vehicle tracking systems, panic buttons, reverse parking alarms, and LED display boards.

The non-AC sleeper buses have 30 berths, the AC sleeper buses have 36 berths, and the AC seater buses have 40 reclining seats. All the buses have all-wheel air suspension, four CCTV cameras, reading lamps near seats, and mobile charging facilities.

As part of the Kalayana Karnataka Utsav celebrations, various government departments displayed tableaux highlighting welfare and development programmes. The School Education Department presented ‘Akshara Avishkara’, the Health Department presented ‘Arogya Avishkara’, and the Social Welfare, Backward Classes and Minority Welfare departments showcased model residential schools.

The Panchayat Raj Engineering Project Division presented the ‘Kalyana Patha’ and the ‘Pragati Patha’, while the Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company and KKRTC showcased the ‘Gruha Jyothi’, ‘Shakti’, and free bus pass schemes for students.

Cultural troupes performing in front of the tableaux added to the celebrations.

An impressive parade by 16 contingents, led by Parade Commander DAR DSP Sunil Parappa Kodli and Assistant Parade Commander DAR RSI Chandrashekhar, was part of the Kalyana Karnataka Utsav celebrations.

The contingents included personnel from the DAR, CAR, civil police, Police Training Colleges 1, 2 and 3, the KSYSAF 3rd Battalion, Dharwad, the KSRP 6th Battalion, Home Guards, KKRTC, Forest Department, Army Pre-Recruitment Training School, Pratibhanvita Girls’ Residential School, Kasturba Gandhi Residential School, Bhose Primary and High School, and the Fire and Emergency Services Department.

A patriotic and cultural dance performance by Bajrangi’s Kala Nation troupe entertained the gathering, while artist Vilas Naik’s live painting of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel drew appreciation from the audience.

Home Minister and Kalaburagi district in-charge Minister Priyank Kharge, Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation chairperson and Kalaburagi North MLA Kaneez Fatima, Karnataka State Policy and Planning Commission vice-chairman B.R. Patil and Kalaburagi Lok Sabha member Radhakrishna Doddamani were among those present.

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