Karnataka Budget Unveils Major Development Push for North Karnataka Region
In a significant move aimed at regional development, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the state budget with a strong focus on the North Karnataka region, also known as Kittur Karnataka. The budget outlines numerous new schemes and projects designed to boost economic growth, infrastructure, and social welfare across this historically underserved area.
Industrial and Economic Development Initiatives
The budget allocates substantial resources to stimulate industrial growth beyond Bengaluru. A key announcement is the Dharwad Industrial Node of the Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, which is expected to generate approximately 75,000 employment opportunities. To develop this node, the government has earmarked Rs 600 crore for acquiring 1,000 acres of land, with Rs 200 crore provided in the current financial year.
Under the new Industrial Policy 2025-30, additional incentives of 5% for the most backward regions and 3% for backward regions are being introduced to encourage industrial expansion. This policy is anticipated to benefit districts like Dharwad and others in North Karnataka. Furthermore, a 1,000-acre industrial park will be newly developed in Belagavi district, and two new industrial estates are planned for Muddebihala in Vijayapura district and Kampli in Ballari District.
Educational and Technological Advancements
To foster innovation and education, the budget includes several tech-focused initiatives. Plug-and-play LEAP labs will be established by KEONICS in second and third-tier cities such as Hubballi and Kalaburagi to provide incubation facilities for entrepreneurs. Additionally, a Centre of Excellence for Artificial Intelligence is proposed at IIIT Raichur with an allocation of Rs 5 crore.
In collaboration with IIT Dharwad, a personalised self-learning digital tutor facility using AI technology will be provided to around 12.2 lakh students from classes 8 to 12, costing an estimated Rs 5 crore. For students preparing for competitive exams, digital libraries and study centers will be set up in Dharwad at a cost of Rs 10 crore, along with four Vidyarthi Indira Canteens to support those pursuing higher studies.
Healthcare and Social Infrastructure
The budget prioritizes healthcare with the announcement that the Jayadeva Cardiovascular Regional Centre in Hubballi, costing Rs 236 crore, will be inaugurated this year. Other medical initiatives include a new medical college in Vijayapura, an IVF center at Kalaburagi Medical College, and CT scan centers for livestock at veterinary hospitals in Bidar.
Social welfare measures include the establishment of 10 working women's hostels for scheduled caste and scheduled tribe women in Hubballi-Dharwad, each with a capacity of 50, and 50 post-matric hostels for backward classes students in high-demand districts like Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Davanagere, and Ballari.
Judicial and Pilgrimage Facilities
To enhance judicial efficiency, e-Courts will be established on a pilot basis in Dharwad and Kalaburagi at a cost of Rs 10 crore. This initiative aims to implement a citizen-centric judicial system, with Rs 5 crore allocated for library and video conferencing facilities, and infrastructure upgrades for CCMS and e-filing in these offices.
For Haj pilgrims, Haj Bhavans will be built in Hubballi and Kalaburagi to provide necessary amenities. Additionally, to address the stray dog issue, dog birth-control training centers are proposed in Bidar.
Additional Regional Announcements
The budget includes a variety of other projects to boost tourism, education, and sports in North Karnataka:
- Development of the Gadag-Kappatagudda-Lakkundi tourism circuit.
- Establishment of Silk Parks in Haveri.
- De-addiction and rehabilitation centers at DIMHANS, Dharwad.
- A flight training school at Vijayapura airport.
- Govt First Grade Colleges in Chadachana, Vijayapura.
- Allocation of 25 acres to start a private Vachana University at Basavakalyana.
- A new women's PU College in Savanur.
- New planetariums in Vijayanagar and Chitradurga.
- A modern sport science center in Kalaburagi.
Furthermore, ahead of the bypoll in Davanagere, the CM announced Rs 100 crore for basic infrastructure development in the Davanagere South assembly constituency, which is predominantly inhabited by scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and minority communities. Commercial complexes are also proposed at Cotton Market centers in Hubballi under a public-private partnership model.
