Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120551090200.htm

Karnataka - Madikeri

Land found for airstrip

Staff Correspondent

Funds allocated for fencing the land
It was originally allotted for ‘Red Dane’ project

Madikeri: Kodagu district administration has identified land measuring up to 118.75 acres of land to build an airstrip at Byadagotta in Kushalnagar hobli of Somwarpet taluk, according to Deputy Commissioner M.K. Baladevakrishna here on Thursday.

He told presspersons that technical consultants from the Karnataka Housing Board were visiting to inspect the land in a couple of days. All inputs required would be provided to them.

The cost of the construction too would be decided after the visit of the team, Mr. Baladevakrishna said.

He had received Rs. 20 lakh from the Government to fence the entire lands, he said.

The land was initially granted to the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences for staring the ‘Red Dane’ (cattle) project, which did not materialise for several reasons. Commissioner of the Department Ashwath had inspected the area and agreed to give back the land to the district administration which was granted for the construction of the airstrip.

It was expected to boost the tourism potential of the district, Mr. Baladevakrishna said.

Special package

Replying to a question on the special economic package of Rs. 25 crore to Kodagu, promised by the B.S. Yeddyurappa Government, Mr. Baladevakrishna said the proposal listing all details had been submitted to the Government and funds were awaited.

The bulk of funds would be utilised for road laying, repairs and related works.

He had asked the Public Works Department, Panchayat Raj engineering wing and the Karnataka Land Army Corporation officials to be ready with the estimates with a view to start the works immediately after receiving funds from the Government.

Referring to the issue of the construction of the “Suvarna Samskritika Samuchaya” (cultural complex), Mr. Baladevakrishna said that the Public Works Department had been asked to measure the area of the present Cauvery Kalakshetra, assess seat capacity of the hall and gather related details where the cultural complex would be built after demolishing it. Mr. Baladevakrishna said he had accorded administrative approval for taking up works at several tourist spots in the district, involving Rs. 90 lakh.

The Government had released Rs. 1 crore to Kodagu to initiate tourism-related works recently.