The government intends to invest Rs 1,685 crore to transform Kalaburagi into a smart city, according to a Tuesday announcement made by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The project is a part of a larger effort to guarantee the growth of the whole Karnataka area, Kalyana.

The municipal corporations of Kalaburagi and Ballari will each get Rs 200 crore for infrastructure development under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana 2.0. This statement was delivered by Siddaramaiah at the "Kalyana Karnataka Amrut Mahotsav" event, which simultaneously commemorated the tenth anniversary of the area's special status as granted by Article 371(J) of the Constitution.

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Modernization Efforts: Establishing a Jeans Apparel Park to Transform Kalaburagi's Economy

Siddaramaiah reflected on the history of the area and pointed out that although India became independent in 1947, the districts of Raichur, Kalaburagi, and Bidar—which were then under Nizam rule—acquired their independence the next year. Because to the sacrifices made by independence fighters and the guidance of Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Kalyana Karnataka area became a part of India. He remarked, "I pay my respects to all who fought for Kalyana Karnataka's liberation."

The "Kalyana Patha" project, which aims to improve road connections and rural development in the area, was also unveiled by the chief minister. With an investment of Rs 1,000 crore, the state government plans to build 1,150 kilometers of rural roads.

At addition, Siddaramaiah urged the Central government to move the project along quickly and reiterated the state's support for the establishment of an AIIMS facility at Raichur. He announced the government's objective of creating 4.85 crore person-days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) for 2024–2025. He also mentioned that 13.69 lakh individuals had benefited from the creation of 3.43 crore person-days of employment thus far.

Additionally, the Koppal district's Anjanadri Hill would see the growth of tourism worth Rs 100 crore. By establishing a Jeans Apparel Park and Common Facility Center in Ballari, the state hopes to streamline and modernize the denim sector.

The 2024-25 budget contains a Rs 5,000 crore investment for the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board, which would support different regional development initiatives. Under the direction of Professor Govind Rao, a group will investigate the social and economic divide in the area and suggest ways to lessen inequality.

Siddaramaiah decorated Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's statue at Kalaburagi's SVP Chowk as a way of honoring him at the occasion. He emphasized the area's significant contributions to the Kannada language, literature, and culture as well as Basavanna's Sharana movement, which established the groundwork for social equality.

In his closing remarks, he urged the people of Karnataka to never forget the battles they had fought. He listed the four major conflicts that Kalyana Karnataka had engaged in: the fight for Indian independence, the fight to free the state from Nizam's rule, the unification of Kannada-speaking areas, and the fight for special status under Article 371(J).

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