Siddaramaiah to launch development works in Shravanabelagola today

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will launch development works for Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka festival, to be held here in February 2018, on Monday.

The CM, who is expected to arrive by helicopter, will attend a programme at Karnataka Jain Association at 11 am. Later, he would launch development works at a programme to held at Bahubali Engineering College grounds at 12 noon.

He would launch works related to construction of tourist bungalow, 66/11 kV power distribution centre, dormitory at the bus stand, four temporary bus bays among others.

The government has sanctioned Rs 175 crore for the festival, which will also be utilised for road development works, construction of VIP guest house and Nature Cure college.

The Jain Association will felicitate Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for announcing Mahaveer Shanthi award to Siddaganga seer Shivakumara Swamiji, and H D Deve Gowda for sanctioning rail line to Shravanabelagola and Hassan during his tenure as the prime minister.

Later, he would hold discussions on the drought situation in the district with the district-level officials at 1.30 pm. He would leave for Bengaluru at 3.15 pm from the helipad.

More than 15,000 people are expected to attend the programme and elaborate arrangements have been made for mass feeding. IGP (Southern Range) Vipul Kumar and SP Rahu Kumar is supervising the security arrangements with an Addl SP, a DSP, three CPIs, 12 PSIs, 65 ASIs and 400 constables have been deputed for the security arrangements.

District Minister A Manju, Deputy Commissioner V Chaitra and other dignitaries will participate.