PM Narendra Modi on his arrival at Mandya, in Karnataka on March 12, 2023.
Hubballi/Mandya: Prime Minister Narendra Modi invoked Lord Basaveshwara to criticise Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without naming the latter for the critical remarks that he made in London recently against the Indian government. Modi was here today to dedicate and lay the foundation stone of key development projects in Hubballi-Dharwad, and dedicate to the nation the new Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway in Mandya in poll-bound Karnataka today.
Modi in his address here, highlighted the contributions of Lord Basaveshwara and mentioned the establishment of Anubhav Mandapam as the “most important” among many contributions and noted that this democratic system is studied all over the world. He recalled inaugurating the statue of Lord Basaveshwara in London and called it “unfortunate” that India’s democracy was questioned in London itself. “The roots of India’s democracy are drawn from our centuries-old history. No power in the world can harm India’s democratic traditions”, the Prime Minister remarked. “Despite this”, Modi said, “some people are constantly putting India’s democracy in the dock. Such people are insulting Lord Basaveshwara and the people of Karnataka and the country. He warned the people of Karnataka to stay alert from such people”.
Chief Minister of Karnataka, Basvara Bommai, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, and ministers from the Karnataka Government were present on the occasion among others.
Modi dedicated to the nation, several projects that include the Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad whose foundation stone was laid by the Prime Minister in February 2019. Developed at a cost of over Rs. 850 crores, the IIT currently offers a 4-year B.Tech. programme, inter-disciplinary 5-year BS-MS program, M.Tech. and PhD programmes.
Modi also dedicated to the nation the following:
- The longest railway platform in the world at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Station which has been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records recently. The 1507-metre-long platform has been built at a cost of about Rs. 20 crores.
- The electrification of Hosapete – Hubballi – Tinaighat sections and the upgradation of Hosapete station, for boosting connectivity in the region. Developed at a cost of over Rs 530 crores, the electrification project establishes seamless train operation on electric traction. The redeveloped Hosapete station will provide convenient and modern facilities to travellers. It has been designed to resemble the Hampi monuments.
“The new campus of IIT in Dharwad will facilitate quality education while nurturing young minds for a better tomorrow”, the Prime Minister said. He underlined that the new IIT campus is scripting a new chapter in the history of Karnataka’s development journey. He noted the high-tech facilities of the Dharwad IIT campus and stated that it will act as a source of inspiration which will take the institution to the same heights as other leading institutions of the world. Highlighting that the IIT Dharwad campus is a prime example of the ‘Sankalp Se Siddhi’ (i.e achievement by resolutions) spirit of the present government, the Prime Minister recalled laying its foundation stone in February 2019 and expressed happiness on its completion within a span of 4 years, even though many hurdles came along the way owing to the Coronavirus pandemic. “From laying foundation stones to inaugurating projects, the double-engine government works at a constant speed”, the Prime Minister continued, “We believe in the resolve of inaugurating the same projects whose foundations stones are laid by us.”
The Prime Minister also inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various projects of Hubballi-Dharwad smart city. The total estimated cost of these projects is about Rs. 520 crores. “These efforts will enhance the quality of life by creating hygienic, safe and functional public spaces and transforming the town into a futuristic urban centre,” he said.
He laid the foundation stones of the Jayadeva Hospital and Research Centre, which will be developed at a cost of about Rs. 250 crores and will provide tertiary cardiac care to the people of the region.
In order to further augment water supply in the region, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Dharwad Multi Village Water Supply Scheme, which will be developed at a cost of over Rs. 1040 crores. He will also lay the foundation stone for the Tupparihalla Flood Damage Control Project, which will be developed at a cost of about Rs. 150 crores. The project aims to mitigate damage caused by floods and involves the construction of retaining walls and embankments.
Highlighting that the central and state governments are working together to provide clean drinking water to Dharwad and its surrounding areas, the Prime Minister informed that the foundation stone for a scheme worth more than 1,000 crore rupees has been laid under the Jal Jeevan Mission where water from Renuka Sagar reservoir and Malaprabha river will be brought to more than 1.25 lakh houses through taps. He also informed that the people of the entire district will avail the benefits when the new water treatment plant will be ready in Dharwad. The Prime Minister also touched upon the Tuparihalla Flood Damage Control Project whose foundation stone has also been laid today and stated that it will reduce the damage caused by floods in the region.
The Prime Minister further laid the foundation of the third branch of the Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research in Hubballi. The Institute is serving in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Kalburgi.
Modi recalled getting the opportunity to visit Hubbali earlier this year and highlighted the blessings showered upon him by the people who came out to welcome him. Recalling his visits to Karnataka in the past few years from Bengaluru to Belgavi, Kalburagi to Shivamoga, and Mysuru to Tumkuru, the Prime Minister said that he is indebted to the overwhelming love and affection showed by the Kannadigas and also underlined that the government will work towards fulfilling the needs of the people by making their lives easier, creating many employment opportunities for the youth, empowering the women of the region as a way of repayment. “The double-engine government of Karnataka strives for the complete development of every district, village and hamlet of the state with utmost honesty”, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister said that for centuries, Dharwad has been a gateway between Malenadu and Bayalu Seeme regions which welcomed everyone with an open heart and enriched itself by learning from everyone. Therefore, “Dharwad did not remain just a gateway but became a reflection of the dynamism of Karnataka and India”, he said. Dharwad is known as the cultural capital of Karnataka known for its literature and music. Modi paid tribute to cultural doyens from Dharwad.
He mentioned his Mandya visit earlier in the day and said that the new Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway will pave the way to take the software hub identity of Karnataka even further. The 118 km long project involves 6-laning of the Bengaluru-Nidaghatta-Mysuru section of NH-275 and has been developed at a total cost of around Rs 8,480 crore. It will reduce the travel time between Bengaluru and Mysuru from around 3 hours to about 75 minutes.
Mandya is considered a stronghold of Janata Dal (Secular). Modi also had a 1.8 km long roadshow here.
– global bihari bureau
