Silk city to come up near B'lore

The govt will provide facilities to manufacture and market products

“The proposed project is likely to come up near the Bangalore International Airport and the State government is planning to spend Rs 50 crore for it as initial investment to develop facilities,” Karnataka Minister for Textiles and Sports Gulihatti D Shekar told reporters at the national capital on Thursday.

According to proposal, the government will provide facilities to manufacture, market and design silk products in one place. Shekhar, who met Union Minister of Textiles Dayanidhi Maran here on Thursday to discuss about this project, sought Centre’s grant for it.

“Maran has asked the State to submit a detailed proposal and has promised to provide financial assistance,” Shekar said.

Karnataka produces 65 per cent of country’s raw silk and around 75,000 weavers are involved in manufacturing silk products including silk sarees, fabrics and garments.
The State government has also planned to set up a “Vasthra Grama” at Muddenahalli near Yelahanka, adjacent to the airport, with an investment of Rs 20 crore. The project will facilitate handloom and power loom weavers to produce their products at one place and market it. The government has already identified 18 acres of land and will soon start construction works, he said.

Shekar said that the Union Minister has assured to provide 50 pc assistance for restructuring Karnataka State Handloom Co-operative Societies Federation. The Centre also asked the State to submit a proposal to provide special rehabilitation package for weavers of North Karnataka affected by flood.