Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Hubli/Work-on-Gadag-airstrip-begins-/articleshow/4590373.cms
GADAG: Work on the much awaited airstrip in Gadag will finally commence in a few days as land required for the purpose has been identified.
Deputy commissioner Subodh Yadav said around 250 acres of land, suitable for an airstrip, has been identified in Nagasamundra village. The village is about nine km from the district headquarters off Gadag-Ron state highway. He said initially four places were identified before sending a proposal to the Airport Authority of India (AAI). AAI technical advisor and Karnataka Housing Board engineer conducted a survey of these lands and finalised the plot at Nagasamundra. Yadav said the process of collecting the data of land owners was also underway. He said the government had given a grant of Rs 2 crore for land acquisition. The KHB will acquire the land after consulting with farmers. Tourism in the district is expected to get a boost on completion of the airstrip.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Ballari nala plays host to bat migrants
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hubli/Ballari-plays-host-to-bat-migrants/articleshow/4590380.cms
BELGAUM: As the sun sets, the Ballari nala on the outskirts of the city turns into a tourist spot as people rush to watch bats glide in by the thousands from the Western Ghats region. Trying to settle down for the night, the bats shift from branch to branch and the moonlight captures their swift movements. However, during the day, these very same bats look rather lifeless as they hang upside down in the trees.
These fruit bats, also called megabats, are mammals and look like rats when their wings are folded. Bats generally keep away from humans, thought people often do not extend them the same courtesy, shining torch beams or throwing stones at them. With the onset of the monsoon, these bats will migrate elsewhere in search of food. Most bats feed on insects and fruits and are generally harmless. However, they are carriers of rabies and in case of a bite, medical attention must be immediate. Speaking to TOI, Girish Hosur, deputy conservator of forest, Belgaum division said, "These bats are largely seen in the Western Ghats area of Khanapur region. Until now, we have not had a single case of bat bite and hopefully the bats will soon migrate once the rain starts."
BELGAUM: As the sun sets, the Ballari nala on the outskirts of the city turns into a tourist spot as people rush to watch bats glide in by the thousands from the Western Ghats region. Trying to settle down for the night, the bats shift from branch to branch and the moonlight captures their swift movements. However, during the day, these very same bats look rather lifeless as they hang upside down in the trees.
These fruit bats, also called megabats, are mammals and look like rats when their wings are folded. Bats generally keep away from humans, thought people often do not extend them the same courtesy, shining torch beams or throwing stones at them. With the onset of the monsoon, these bats will migrate elsewhere in search of food. Most bats feed on insects and fruits and are generally harmless. However, they are carriers of rabies and in case of a bite, medical attention must be immediate. Speaking to TOI, Girish Hosur, deputy conservator of forest, Belgaum division said, "These bats are largely seen in the Western Ghats area of Khanapur region. Until now, we have not had a single case of bat bite and hopefully the bats will soon migrate once the rain starts."
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Karnataka State likely to clear Rs 5,000 cr investment
Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/state-likely-to-clear-rs-5000-cr-investment/359370/
Karnataka government is likely to clear various projects with an investment of close to Rs 5,000 crore shortly. Raj Kumar Khatri, commissioner for industrial development and director, department of industries and commerce said that since January they have received 25 major industrial investment proposals that are expected to be cleared by the high level committee (HLC) next month. HLC clears major investment projects involving an investment of above Rs 50 crore.
Among other major investment projects that are waiting for approval by the state government include a proposal from Sri Renuka Sugars Limited to expand sugar crushing capacity from 5,000 tonnes crushed per day (TCD) to 10,000 TCD at two of their units at Burlahatti in Athani taluk in Belgaum district and Afzalpur in Bijapur district at a combined investment of Rs 250 crore, Khatri told Business Standard. He said the government has also received an application from Bosch Limited to set up a new manufacturing facility for automotive components at an investment of Rs 400 crore. The company intends to set up a new unit near Toyota Kirloskar’s car plant at Bidadi.
The department has also received an application from Premium Farmfresh, a Lalit Suri Group company to set up a terminal market chain for fresh fruits and vegetables at an investment of Rs 400 crore.
The company intends to set up modern marketing chain in places like Belgaum, Hassan, Hoskote and Mysore.
In addition to these, two US-based non-resident Indians (NRIs) have shown interest to set up thermal power projects in Karnataka involving a combined investment of Rs 2,500 crore for generating a total of around 770 MW. The two companies are planning to set up set up thermal power projects in Bijapur district, a senior government official said.
Khatri said the state government is planning to organise the global investors meet in Bangalore in December this year. The meet, which was earlier scheduled to be held in January this year, had to be postponed due to economic slowdown. The government intends to keep ready a land bank of around 160,000 acres across the state before the investors meet. Currently, it has completed the process for acquisition of around 35,000 acres.
Karnataka government is likely to clear various projects with an investment of close to Rs 5,000 crore shortly. Raj Kumar Khatri, commissioner for industrial development and director, department of industries and commerce said that since January they have received 25 major industrial investment proposals that are expected to be cleared by the high level committee (HLC) next month. HLC clears major investment projects involving an investment of above Rs 50 crore.
Among other major investment projects that are waiting for approval by the state government include a proposal from Sri Renuka Sugars Limited to expand sugar crushing capacity from 5,000 tonnes crushed per day (TCD) to 10,000 TCD at two of their units at Burlahatti in Athani taluk in Belgaum district and Afzalpur in Bijapur district at a combined investment of Rs 250 crore, Khatri told Business Standard. He said the government has also received an application from Bosch Limited to set up a new manufacturing facility for automotive components at an investment of Rs 400 crore. The company intends to set up a new unit near Toyota Kirloskar’s car plant at Bidadi.
The department has also received an application from Premium Farmfresh, a Lalit Suri Group company to set up a terminal market chain for fresh fruits and vegetables at an investment of Rs 400 crore.
The company intends to set up modern marketing chain in places like Belgaum, Hassan, Hoskote and Mysore.
In addition to these, two US-based non-resident Indians (NRIs) have shown interest to set up thermal power projects in Karnataka involving a combined investment of Rs 2,500 crore for generating a total of around 770 MW. The two companies are planning to set up set up thermal power projects in Bijapur district, a senior government official said.
Khatri said the state government is planning to organise the global investors meet in Bangalore in December this year. The meet, which was earlier scheduled to be held in January this year, had to be postponed due to economic slowdown. The government intends to keep ready a land bank of around 160,000 acres across the state before the investors meet. Currently, it has completed the process for acquisition of around 35,000 acres.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Jungle Lodges and Resort to develop three properties to attract tourists
Source: http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/jungle-lodges-and-resort-to-develop-three-properties-to-attract-tourists-6614
The Karnataka Government owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) has taken up development of its properties in the vicinity of world famous Jog Falls, world heritage site Hampi and Belgaum to attract more tourists. Talking to UNI in the city, N D Tiwari, Managing Director, Jungle Lodges and Resorts said these projects, involving a combined investment of Rs 15 crore, will comprise construction of resorts and lodges for the visiting tourists. While the project in Jog Falls will come up in the vicinity, in Hampi, it will be developed near Kamalapur, he said, adding, tourists visiting Belgaum would be taken to the new facility in Khanapur.
Tiwari said work on these proposals had been initiated already and it would take at least a year to complete the same. He said the JLR maintained about 30 properties now and there was no plan to acquire new properties for development. JLR did business of over Rs 25 crore last year of which the profit was Rs four crore,
informed Tiwari.
The Karnataka Government owned Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) has taken up development of its properties in the vicinity of world famous Jog Falls, world heritage site Hampi and Belgaum to attract more tourists. Talking to UNI in the city, N D Tiwari, Managing Director, Jungle Lodges and Resorts said these projects, involving a combined investment of Rs 15 crore, will comprise construction of resorts and lodges for the visiting tourists. While the project in Jog Falls will come up in the vicinity, in Hampi, it will be developed near Kamalapur, he said, adding, tourists visiting Belgaum would be taken to the new facility in Khanapur.
Tiwari said work on these proposals had been initiated already and it would take at least a year to complete the same. He said the JLR maintained about 30 properties now and there was no plan to acquire new properties for development. JLR did business of over Rs 25 crore last year of which the profit was Rs four crore,
informed Tiwari.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Karnataka plans to develop 250 toll roads
Source: http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=broadcast&broadcastid=125794
BANGALORE, May 22, 2009: Karnataka Government on Friday decided to develop more than 250 state highways and major district roads with private participation and levy toll on road users.
The State Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa fixed toll rates for the four-lane and two-lane roads for various category of motor vehicles.
Minister for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Shobha Karandlaje told reporters here that the basic toll rate per kilometre on a four-lane road for cars, jeeps, light motor vehicles, vans would be 65 paise and on two-lane roads it would be fifty paise.
Mini-buses and mini goods vehicles will have to pay Rs 1.05 per km for using four-lane road and 75 paise for two-lane. The toll would be Rs 2.20 for buses and trucks on four-lane road and Re 1.50 on two-lane road, she said adding that heavy construction machinery vehicles would be charged Rs 3.45 per km on four-lane road and Rs 2.25 on two-lane roads. Toll will be collected on roads where more than 10,000 vehicles ply, she said.
However, toll will not be collected on existing roads, Karandlaje said.
At an investor’s meet held in January 28, 2009, the Government had decided to develop a Core Road Network (CRN) of 66,000 km at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,77,000 crore under the public-private partnership module in the next six years (2009-15).
In the first phase, it was decided to upgrade 10,000 km of State highways and major district roads (MDRs) apart from 12,600 km of village roads in the first phase. The estimated cost for development of 10,000 km of State highways and MDRs is Rs. 31,400 crore. About 40,000 km of roads will be developed in the second phase at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.08 lakh crore and 16,000 km in the third phase with an investment of Rs. 36,800 crore.
Officials said the 66,000-km CRN would connect Bangalore with other IT hubs such as Mysore, Hassan, Davangere, Hubli, Dharwad, and Mangalore. The objective of the CRN was to promote industrial and urban development and integrate economically backward and remote areas.
All these roads would be toll roads, and toll booths would be established every 50 km. The toll would be based on the rate fixed by the National Highways Authority of India, he said.
Agricultural non-transport vehicles, two and three-wheelers and local short-distance vehicles used only for passenger transport would be exempted from payment of toll. Service roads would be provided for local traffic, he said.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said at present the State had a road network of nearly 2.09 lakh km: 3,978 km of national highways, 20,738 km of State highways, 37,973 km of district roads and 1,47,212 km of village roads.
The CRN would be an all-weather, smooth road network with a minimum two-lane carriageway and feeder roads and four to six lanes near urban settlements.
The roads would be developed under various PPP models such as build operate, transfer; design, build, operate, transfer; and viability gap funding. The developer would be given one acre of land for every five km of road developed for business activities. Land acquisition and development would be undertaken by private entrepreneurs.
A State-level task force headed by the Chief Minister had been constituted to monitor the progress of roads, and committees headed by the deputy commissioners had been constituted for fixation of compensation rates for land acquired for roads.
Farmers to get credit at 3 pc from nationalised banks
BANGALORE: The Karnataka government on Friday decided to ensure credit to small and marginal farmers at three per cent interest rate through nationalised banks, but with a loan cap of Rs 50,000.
The state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa approved the extension of the subsidised interest rate scheme for farm credit to nationalised banks with effect from April 1 last and decided to earmark Rs 250 crore towards reimbursement of the difference interest amount to banks. The Government has decided to disburse crop loans at three per cent rate of interest in the State budget for 2009-10.
Addressing presspersons after the Cabinet meeting, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Shobha Karandlaje said that it has been estimated that about six to seven lakh farmers avail credit from nationalised banks in the state.
About 13 lakh farmers in the state who get credit from cooperative institutions already enjoy the low interest rate credit, she said.
Farmers’ loans up to Rs 50,000 would be eligible for the low interest rate. Continuing its populist schemes, the government decided to extend the scheme of awarding cash incentives to meritorious higher secondary boy students hailing from SC and ST communities, a benefit already given to their girl counterparts to enable them continue higher studies.
The Centre had instructed nationalised banks to grant crop loans at the interest rate of seven per cent. The State Government would reimburse to banks the difference of the amount which would be Rs. 1000 crore in 2009-10.The cooperative institutions would disburse crop loans at rate of interest of three per cent to small and marginal farmers. The cooperatives had disbursed Rs. 3,290.3 crore in 2008-09 for 13,17,983 farmers in the State. Cooperatives are expected to disburse Rs. 3,500 crore loans to farmers in 2009-10.
Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi said elections to various cooperative bodies, including Karnataka Milk Federation, would be held between May 23 to July 27 in different phases.
BANGALORE, May 22, 2009: Karnataka Government on Friday decided to develop more than 250 state highways and major district roads with private participation and levy toll on road users.
The State Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister B. S. Yeddyurappa fixed toll rates for the four-lane and two-lane roads for various category of motor vehicles.
Minister for Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Shobha Karandlaje told reporters here that the basic toll rate per kilometre on a four-lane road for cars, jeeps, light motor vehicles, vans would be 65 paise and on two-lane roads it would be fifty paise.
Mini-buses and mini goods vehicles will have to pay Rs 1.05 per km for using four-lane road and 75 paise for two-lane. The toll would be Rs 2.20 for buses and trucks on four-lane road and Re 1.50 on two-lane road, she said adding that heavy construction machinery vehicles would be charged Rs 3.45 per km on four-lane road and Rs 2.25 on two-lane roads. Toll will be collected on roads where more than 10,000 vehicles ply, she said.
However, toll will not be collected on existing roads, Karandlaje said.
At an investor’s meet held in January 28, 2009, the Government had decided to develop a Core Road Network (CRN) of 66,000 km at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,77,000 crore under the public-private partnership module in the next six years (2009-15).
In the first phase, it was decided to upgrade 10,000 km of State highways and major district roads (MDRs) apart from 12,600 km of village roads in the first phase. The estimated cost for development of 10,000 km of State highways and MDRs is Rs. 31,400 crore. About 40,000 km of roads will be developed in the second phase at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.08 lakh crore and 16,000 km in the third phase with an investment of Rs. 36,800 crore.
Officials said the 66,000-km CRN would connect Bangalore with other IT hubs such as Mysore, Hassan, Davangere, Hubli, Dharwad, and Mangalore. The objective of the CRN was to promote industrial and urban development and integrate economically backward and remote areas.
All these roads would be toll roads, and toll booths would be established every 50 km. The toll would be based on the rate fixed by the National Highways Authority of India, he said.
Agricultural non-transport vehicles, two and three-wheelers and local short-distance vehicles used only for passenger transport would be exempted from payment of toll. Service roads would be provided for local traffic, he said.
Mr. Yeddyurappa said at present the State had a road network of nearly 2.09 lakh km: 3,978 km of national highways, 20,738 km of State highways, 37,973 km of district roads and 1,47,212 km of village roads.
The CRN would be an all-weather, smooth road network with a minimum two-lane carriageway and feeder roads and four to six lanes near urban settlements.
The roads would be developed under various PPP models such as build operate, transfer; design, build, operate, transfer; and viability gap funding. The developer would be given one acre of land for every five km of road developed for business activities. Land acquisition and development would be undertaken by private entrepreneurs.
A State-level task force headed by the Chief Minister had been constituted to monitor the progress of roads, and committees headed by the deputy commissioners had been constituted for fixation of compensation rates for land acquired for roads.
Farmers to get credit at 3 pc from nationalised banks
BANGALORE: The Karnataka government on Friday decided to ensure credit to small and marginal farmers at three per cent interest rate through nationalised banks, but with a loan cap of Rs 50,000.
The state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa approved the extension of the subsidised interest rate scheme for farm credit to nationalised banks with effect from April 1 last and decided to earmark Rs 250 crore towards reimbursement of the difference interest amount to banks. The Government has decided to disburse crop loans at three per cent rate of interest in the State budget for 2009-10.
Addressing presspersons after the Cabinet meeting, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Shobha Karandlaje said that it has been estimated that about six to seven lakh farmers avail credit from nationalised banks in the state.
About 13 lakh farmers in the state who get credit from cooperative institutions already enjoy the low interest rate credit, she said.
Farmers’ loans up to Rs 50,000 would be eligible for the low interest rate. Continuing its populist schemes, the government decided to extend the scheme of awarding cash incentives to meritorious higher secondary boy students hailing from SC and ST communities, a benefit already given to their girl counterparts to enable them continue higher studies.
The Centre had instructed nationalised banks to grant crop loans at the interest rate of seven per cent. The State Government would reimburse to banks the difference of the amount which would be Rs. 1000 crore in 2009-10.The cooperative institutions would disburse crop loans at rate of interest of three per cent to small and marginal farmers. The cooperatives had disbursed Rs. 3,290.3 crore in 2008-09 for 13,17,983 farmers in the State. Cooperatives are expected to disburse Rs. 3,500 crore loans to farmers in 2009-10.
Cooperation Minister Laxman Savadi said elections to various cooperative bodies, including Karnataka Milk Federation, would be held between May 23 to July 27 in different phases.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Loss-making NWKRTC seeks sops
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hubli/Loss-making-NWKRTC-seeks-sops/articleshow/4548751.cms
HUBLI: In a bid to revive the loss-making North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), the public sector unit will write to the state government seeking road tax exemption, said Mallikarjun Sahukar after taking charge as the new chairman of NWKRTC on Monday. He said every year, the corporation is paying road tax to the tune of Rs 50 crore. "If this is exempted, the saved amount could be diverted to other aspects to strengthen the organization.
It has suffered a loss of Rs 264 crore in the last six years," he added. In spite of NWKRTC suffering losses, no bus route will be cancelled, he clarified. "Service to the people is more important for us and not profit," he said when asked about the recommendations to cancel routes that earn no profit. He said that he needs some time to fully know the organization's functioning and to draw measures for its revival. "Emphasis will be given to safe journey of passengers, hygiene and clean drinking water in bus stations," he added. 600 new buses Sahukar said for 2009-10, the NWKRTC has drawn an action plan to add 600 more buses at a cost of Rs 95.20 crore to its fleet.
The action plan also intends to introduce 250 new bus routes, taking the total to 4750 by 2009-end. NWKRTC aims for a profit of Rs 40.38 crore in this fiscal year. CBT to go the Swiss way Sahukar said the City Bus Terminal (CBT) in Hubli would be developed on Swiss model on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis at a cost of Rs 8 crore. The Old Bus Stand in Hubli and the one in Belgaum would also be upgraded with commercial complexes and modern facilities at Rs 40 crore each on PPP basis. Student bus passes Sahukar said the students can get concessional bus passes in their respective schools from this year.
This will help students get passes easily, who otherwise would have to wait in queues at bus stops. Action against private buses The new NWKRTC chairman said that he needs at least three months to take action against private buses for picking up passengers from near Old Bus Stand here. "I need to discuss with the RTO and the police before proceeding in this regard," he said, when reminded about the rule that no private buses should be allowed to pick up passengers near KSRTC bus terminals.
HUBLI: In a bid to revive the loss-making North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC), the public sector unit will write to the state government seeking road tax exemption, said Mallikarjun Sahukar after taking charge as the new chairman of NWKRTC on Monday. He said every year, the corporation is paying road tax to the tune of Rs 50 crore. "If this is exempted, the saved amount could be diverted to other aspects to strengthen the organization.
It has suffered a loss of Rs 264 crore in the last six years," he added. In spite of NWKRTC suffering losses, no bus route will be cancelled, he clarified. "Service to the people is more important for us and not profit," he said when asked about the recommendations to cancel routes that earn no profit. He said that he needs some time to fully know the organization's functioning and to draw measures for its revival. "Emphasis will be given to safe journey of passengers, hygiene and clean drinking water in bus stations," he added. 600 new buses Sahukar said for 2009-10, the NWKRTC has drawn an action plan to add 600 more buses at a cost of Rs 95.20 crore to its fleet.
The action plan also intends to introduce 250 new bus routes, taking the total to 4750 by 2009-end. NWKRTC aims for a profit of Rs 40.38 crore in this fiscal year. CBT to go the Swiss way Sahukar said the City Bus Terminal (CBT) in Hubli would be developed on Swiss model on build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis at a cost of Rs 8 crore. The Old Bus Stand in Hubli and the one in Belgaum would also be upgraded with commercial complexes and modern facilities at Rs 40 crore each on PPP basis. Student bus passes Sahukar said the students can get concessional bus passes in their respective schools from this year.
This will help students get passes easily, who otherwise would have to wait in queues at bus stops. Action against private buses The new NWKRTC chairman said that he needs at least three months to take action against private buses for picking up passengers from near Old Bus Stand here. "I need to discuss with the RTO and the police before proceeding in this regard," he said, when reminded about the rule that no private buses should be allowed to pick up passengers near KSRTC bus terminals.
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