Chambers to tackle regional imbalance

The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) will make efforts to address regional imbalance in the state, said SS Patil, the first industrialist from north Karnataka to head the FKCCI.

Speaking to reporters , Patil said the organisation would take concrete steps to improve infrastructure in view of the prospective investments in the industrial sector.

He said, he would interact with the state and Centre to develop infrastructure in tier-2 cities like Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Gulbarga and Bijapur besides other major towns in the state.

Patil said, power and communication development was his priority. He would lead a delegation to the Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav to press for the speedy implementation of Railways' development projects in the state including the doubling of Hospet-Goa line.

"The doubling would enable the exclusive use of one line for transporting iron ore from mines in Hospet. He said this would also reduce pressure on Hubli-Goa road and prevent the damage to the roads.

He informed that 2,000 Mw would be added to the state's power grid over the next three years from Northern Karnataka alone as the government had cleared two projects of 1.000 Mw each in Belgaum and Gulbarga districts.