 (1).jpeg)
Madikeri, Oct. 26: The state government is ready to set up a mini airport in the district and has agreed to purchase at least 120 acres of flat land from private individuals near Madikeri at market rates, announced Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a dialogue program organized by the Karnataka State Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a seminar on tourism and other development in Kodagu district at Mahindra Resort near Madikeri on Oct. 25.
Although land has been identified in Chikka Aluwara near Kushalnagar, it has been reported that it is not suitable, so if a flat area becomes available near Madikeri, the government will purchase it, the MLA said, adding that the government is also planning to set up heliports in four places in the district.
Many homestays in the district are operating against the law, which is causing problems for tourists, so he stressed the need to enforce strict rules for tourism.
Mantar said that although the state government has not given its approval for the Mysore to Kushalnagar railway connection project from revenue perspective, Union Railway Minister Somanna is in touch with the state government and will convince the government on this matter.
The MLA informed the meeting that Rs 700 to 800 crore will be spent on widening the road from Madikeri to Donigal via Kodlipete. He said that equipment will be purchased for the cardiac treatment department of the Madikeri District Hospital at a cost of Rs 10.56 crore and a plan has been made to provide easy treatment to all cardiac patients in the district.
The MLA explained that Rs 50 crore has been allocated for repairing the damaged roads, but it is being delayed due to rain.
Speaking in the introduction, FKCCI President Umareddy said that during her tenure, the Manthan program was organized and there is a plan to train about 2500 students.
He said that there are about 7 lakh MSMEs operating in Karnataka and the organization has planned to increase this to 10 lakh.
Uma Reddy explained that all entrepreneurs are dependent on Bangalore and consultations will be held with the government to set up different industries in the entire state under the banner of Beyond Bangalore.
Speaking on behalf of the Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce, former president of the organization G. Chidvilas said that the district has been experiencing continuous rains for the last six months and the roads are in serious repair and the state government should urge the FKCCI to urge the state government to provide special funds to repair them.
The Mysuru-Madikeri National Highway work has been delayed and he requested the organization to contact the concerned department to take up the work and complete it soon.
Chidvilas drew attention to the need to promote Kodagu tourism in various parts of the country for the development of eco-friendly and sustainable tourism.
He hoped that that government should focus on making Kodagu district, which has been dependent on Dakshina Kannada and now Mysore districts for its Lok Sabha constituency for decades, a separate Lok Sabha constituency in the next Lok Sabha election phase.
He wanted that there is no need for industries that are harmful to the environment in the district and that ITBT institutions should be established in the district to provide employment to the locals.
Speaking at the interaction program, Kodagu Planters Association Executive Committee Member K.K. Vishwanath said that it is not possible to transport coffee from Kushalnagar to Mangalore New Port by road during the rainy season, due to which the burden of transportation is increasing, and in this regard, he hoped that the FKCCI should insist that the government construct a road suitable for continuous truck transportation.
Pradeep Poovaiah, another executive board member of the same organization, said that although coffee is grown in different parts of the country, 70 percent of it is exported from Kushalnagar, and he drew attention to the need for a proper road and said that there is a need for smooth road connectivity to the New Mangalore Port from everywhere. CPA President Nanda Belliappa spoke and said that it is good for environmentally friendly IT and BT companies to start their businesses in Kodagu. He explained that even though good roads are built, the roads deteriorate quickly due to the lack of scientific drains on both sides.
Sushima prayed. FKCCI Senior Vice President Sai Ram Prasad proposed the vote of thanks. Secretary Prakash presented the speech.
SKCCI Immediate Past President M.G. Balakrishna, Director K. B. Girish Ganapathy, Kodagu District Chamber of Commerce General Secretary Monti Ganesh, State Director Hiremath were present on the stage.
State President Uma Reddy, Senior Vice President Sai Ram Prasad, and Past President M.G. Balakrishna were honored by the District Chamber. MLA Mantar Gowda was honored by the State Organization. In the absence of District Chamber of Commerce President B. R. Nagendra Prasad, Vice President Ambekal Naveen received the honor.
