Dinesh Gundurao bats for IIT at Dharwad

Karnataka Minister for Food and Civil Supplies Dinesh Gundurao has offered to bat for Dharwad as the location for establishing an IIT in Karnataka.

Gundurao, who is also the minister in-charge of Dharwad district, said he would take up the matter with chief minister Siddaramaiah and ensure the state government strongly recommends Dharwad as the location for the IIT.

The minister on Monday visited the proposed location near Mummigatti on the Pune-Bengaluru national highway off Dharwad along with officials and inspected the area.

He told reporters that already a letter has been written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah explaining the advantages of establishing the IIT near Dharwad.

Deputy Commissioner P Rajendra Cholan and IAS officer P Manivannan who is overseeing the development works in the district have submitted a detailed report to the government in this regard.

Replying to a question on heavyweight leaders from Mysuru, Hasan and Shivamogga lobbying for the establishment of IIT in their district, Gundurao said it was natural for every leader to try for getting premier institutions in his region and leaders from Dharwad district cutting across party lines would put pressure on the government.

He said Dharwad was offering the required 500 acres of land along with other facilities and expressed confidence that it would win over other contenders on merit.

He said, there have been complaints regarding the maintenance of infrastructure at Industrial area in Hubballi and Dharwad.  People at Belur Industrial area have complained on about lack of street lights, drinking water among others, which will be reviewed at KDP meeting, he said.