Thomas (Special correspondent)
A new era will begin in infrastructure development of the country through the ‘Gati Shakthi’ programme,Chief Minister,Basavaraj Bommai said.
Bommai who participated in the South Zone Conference of ‘PM Gati Shakthi’ project termed it as a project with a long term vision for nation building.
The Gati Shakthi project aims to mobilise resources,foster coordination and cooperation among the states to work towards a common goal of nation building.
It is a result of Prime Minister Modi’s experience as the Chief Minister and Prime Minister,Bommai said.
Infrastructure development is an example for cooperative federalism as most of the infrastructure passes through various states and they need to be implemented through their cooperation,Bommai said.
The union minister for Surface Transport has achieved both Gati(Speed) and Shakthi(strength) in road transport. In the last 10 years National Highways has seen a 10 fold increase.
He has proved that the National Highways are not just confined to road transport and logistics, but spur national development, Bommai said.
Karnataka is the first state to set up an Infrastructure Development department. Karnataka has all the necessary aspects for infrastructure development.
The state has developed roads, railways and ports. Inland waterways, 5 airports and K-RIDE. Karnataka is the first state to have 50:50 cost sharing for railway projects, Bommai said.
Drawing the attention of the union government towards impediments for project clearances, Bommai said, it is possible to draw more investments into infrastructure development by simplifying environment and forest department clearances and rules in the finance ministry.
Bommai also advocated the need to revisit the rules governing Inter State Water Disputes which are delaying the implementation of irrigation projects.
State government is cooperating in implementing railway projects by providing land and cost sharing. These projects need speedy completion.
Bengaluru-Mysuru-Hyderabad high speed rail is a prominent project.The 453km long project would boost the economies of both the states.
Karnataka has a 330km coastline offering immense potential for developing ports, enterprises and tourism.
There is a need for changes in CRZ regulations. It is ideal to have uniform CRZ regulations for the country, Bommai opined.
K-RIDE has been established for implementing Suburban Rail for Benaluru and Tumkur-Chitradurga-Davangere railway line.
About 11,000 acres of land has been identified for implementing Bengaluru-Chennai, Bengaluru-Hyderabad, Bengaluru-Mumbai mega infrastructure Industrial Corridor projects.
State intends to build 2274km state highways and 3611km national highways.
Approval has been obtained for laying 1100km new railway lines with joint participation of the union and state government.
Action has been taken to build airports at Shivamogga, Ballari, Vijayapura and Hassan under the Uday programme.
Heliports have been planned for Chikkamagaluru, Madikeri, Hampi to encourage Heli-tourism.
Action has been taken to develop two greenfield ports at Belekeri under the PPP model.
Project is ready for modernisation of Old Mangaluru, Karwar and Pavinakurve ports under the Sagaramala project.
About 1204km of gas pipelines would be laid through 28 districts of the state under the National Gas Grid project.
The Chief Minister urged the union government to provide all the assistance for speedy clearances and implementation of infrastructure projects.
He assured complete cooperation from the state government for all the projects under the Gati Shakthi programme.
