Date:30/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/30/stories/2006063001920200.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

These politicians from Bellary are high flying

Staff Correspondent

Some of the mine owner-turned politicians have opted for helicopters

Anil Lad who represents Kudligi constituency has secured a chopper at a cost of around Rs. 12 crore

Janardhan Reddy who was recently elected to the Legislative Council has booked a helicopter and a mini plane

BELLARY: Bellary is all set to rewrite the way politicians in the country go from place to place in their constituencies.

Not happy about driving along treacherous roads in luxurious cars, managing their business and going around their constituencies, some of the mine owner-turned politicians here have opted for helicopters.

Eight helicopters

Around eight helicopters have been booked by politicians and mine owners in the district.

This is in addition to a couple of planes already being used by a few industrialists in the district. Thanks to the boom in the iron ore trade that has made Bellary the cynosure of all eyes.

Anil Lad who represents Kudligi constituency in Bellary district is the first legislator in the State to have secured a four-plus- two seater chopper, which costs around Rs. 12 crore, and has already begun hopping about his constituency in it.

Helipads at farm-house

Helipads have been constructed at his farm-house in Chintrampalli village in Hagari Bommanahalli taluk and also near his house in Sandur, besides the make-shift helipads in his farm and mines. Mr. Anil now reaches the spots in minutes. However, he uses the luxurious cars, waiting for him at the helipads, for short journeys.

Booking

Janardhan Reddy of the Ennoble group, who was recently elected to the Legislative Council, has booked a helicopter and a mini plane.