Thomas (Special correspondent)
The Jal Shakti(Hydro Power) project to produce electricity from the water flowing along the National Highways would be implemented along the National Highway from Kittur to Belagavi that reaches up to the Maharashtra border.
It would be implemented all over the state in the coming days, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has announced.
The project envisages to tap the rain water along the National Highways by channelising the water and building small water bodies to generate power.
Speaking at a function to lay the foundation stone for construction of 5 National Highways of the length 238km at a cost of Rs.3972 cr.
By the Union Surface Transport and National Highways department,Bommai said, a new dimension for development would be added by implementing Jal Shakti project along all the highways in the state,Bommai said and requested Union Minister for National Highways Nitin Gadkari for speedy completion of Ring Road in Belagavi and other cities of the state.
Nitin Gadkari has drawn up a novel project linking the Pilgrim Centres of Maharashtra including Pandharpur and Shirdi with Pilgrim Centres of Karnataka like Badami, Pattadakal, Bommai said and lauded the efforts of MPs from Karnataka for their relentless efforts to develop many National Highways in the State. He made special mention of Union minister Prahlad Joshi in this regard.
CM assures GST exemption
Bommai on the occasion assured that the State government would provide GST exemption for development of Highways, Ring Roads and acquisition of lands for the projects.We will ensure complete cooperation for the projects,” he said.
Belagavi would witness a revolution in road connectivity with the 4 National Highway projects.
Nitin Gadakari has shown how to mobilise resources for major projects and how to implement infrastructure projects,Bommai said and recalled how Gadkari had earlier as the PWD minister of Maharashtra had drawn national attention by building more than 58 Road Over Bridges in quick time.
Over 5000km of National Highways have been developed in the State since Gadkari assumed charge as National Highways minister, Bommai said.
Foundation Stone for 5 projects
Gadkari laid the foundation stone for 5 National Highway projects which include –Belagavi-Sankeshwar bypass, Sankeshwar bypass upto Maharashtra border, Chorla-Jamboki-Belagavi, Vijayapura-Muragundi(NH 548B), Siddapura-Vijayapura(NH 561A)
Muzrai and Wakf minister Shashikala Jolle, PWD minister CC Patil and others were present.
