Cabinet okays plan to build int'l convention centre near airport

The Cabinet on Monday gave its approval to a proposal for the construction of an international convention centre near the Kempegowda International Airport under public-private partnership.

The Bengaluru International Convention Centre (BICC) is coming up on a 35-acre land near the airport, which is proposed to comprise a main convention hall with a seating capacity of 6,000, exhibition halls and other infrastructure. The project is part of the government's plan to leverage meetings, incentives, conferences and events (MICE) tourism.

Sources in the government said the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation was implementing the project. "Two companies - Stantec and JLL - are the project consultants," he said.

KPME Bill to be tabled today

The KPME Bill will be tabled in the Assembly on Tuesday, Health Minister K R Ramesh Kumar told reporters after the Cabinet meeting. "All is well. The Bill will be tabled," he said, when asked if it came up for discussion in the Cabinet.

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Other Cabinet decisions

* Administrative approval for the construction of 53 buildings for residential hostels at a cost of Rs 888.78 crore.

* Procurement of drugs, chemicals and miscellaneous items for public health institutions during 2017-18 at a cost of Rs 340 crore.

* Approval for Karnataka Electronics System Design and Manufacturing Policy 2017-22 to give thrust to hardware, including robotics and 3D printing.

* Followship in the name of sociologist M N Srinivas instituted at Oxford University at a cost of Rs 1 crore.

* Approval for the construction of a building for the Gangubhai Arts and Crafts University at a cost of Rs 27 crore

* Drinking water facility at Renuka Yellamma temple in Savadatti, Belagavi district, at a cost of Rs 31.2 crore