Kalyanis' Road Project Cleared

The Rs 1,800-crore Kalyani group is all set to begin work on the Bangalore-Mysore highway project following the dismissal of a public interest litigation against the project by the Karnataka High Court. Kalyani group chairman Baba N Kalyani said the group would be fully involved in the 148-km ring road project covering Bangalore and connecting NH-4 and Pune-Mumbai highway.

The group also plans to acquire a US-based firm as part of its expansion and strategic investment plans. However, Kalyani refused to give details of the proposed acquisition in the US and the nature of business of the targeted company. The Mysore highway project had attracted the ire of some environmental organisations. This had delayed work on the project.

Kalyani group envisages an investment of Rs 500 crore on Kalyani Ferrous steel plant at Hospet in Karnataka for producing speciality steel. Started with an initial capacity of 2.9 lakh tpa, the company expects to reach 4 lakh tpa very soon. According to him, the company will produce steel at Rs 15,000 per tonne.

On Hubli-Dharwad road project, Kalyani said it be a grade separated road based on the latest technology. "Construction on the Rs 75 crore project is going on. This will be for 30 km," he said. According to him, the state government has handed over the land to the group. Nandi Highways Development, part of the Kalyani group, is involved in the project.