We will change landscape of Kalaburagi in the next two-and-a-half years, says Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj and IT-BT Minister and Kalaburagi district In-charge Priyank Kharge said that the government of Karnataka has prepared a long-term vision for Kalaburagi’s growth, and would transform the city over the next two-and-a-half years through sustainable and inclusive infrastructure projects.

“For the first time, the government has conducted a road audit. Road improvement work worth ₹357 crore is under way in Kalaburagi, while ₹400 crore will be spent on replacing electricity poles. In addition, 19 junctions and three lakes are being developed by the Urban Development Authority, and parks are being upgraded. All these initiatives will change the face of Kalaburagi,” he said adding that the projects would significantly improve basic infrastructure in the city.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for civic work worth ₹108.82 crore under various schemes of the Kalaburagi City Corporation at a programme held at S.M. Pandit Rangamandira in Kalaburagi on January 11.

Highlighting the impact of the government’s guarantee schemes, the Minister said that 5.67 lakh women in the district were receiving ₹2,000 every month, free electricity had been provided to 6.32 lakh households, over one lakh women were availing free bus travel daily, unemployment allowance had been given to 30,000 beneficiaries, and free rice was being supplied to 20 lakh people. “These welfare schemes have strengthened the lives of the poor. Is there any other government in the country that has transferred ₹52,000 crore directly to people?” he asked, criticising the opposition for protesting against the guarantee programmes.

Referring to the distribution of site ownership documents to 105 sanitation workers, Mr. Kharge said the government had honoured its commitment by abolishing the outsourcing system and ensuring direct employment for civic workers. “We do not make false promises. We say only what we intend to do, and deliver on it,” he said.

Kalaburagi South MLA Allamprabhu Patil urged the government of Karnataka to allocate ₹700 crore for revamping the city’s outdated underground drainage system and to prepare a project to supply drinking water from the Narayanpur reservoir.

Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Kalaburagi North MLA Kaniz Fatima, legislators M.Y. Patil, Thippannappa Kamaknoor and Jagadev Guttedar, KUDA Chairperson Mazhar Alam Khan, GESCOM Chairperson Praveen Haraval, Mayor Varsha Rajeev Jane, Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Tarannum, Zilla Panchayat CEO Bhanwar Singh Meena and Corporation Commissioner Avinash Shinde were present.