CM requests US envoy to open consulate in B'luru

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has requested US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster to open a consulate in Bengaluru at the earliest.

On Thursday, Juster led a delegation to the Vidhana Soudha to pay a courtesy call to the newly appointed chief minister.

Kumaraswamy said a consulate in the city would facilitate the visa requirements of scores of citizens visiting the United States. The chief minister assured that the state government would meet requirements like allotting land and buildings for the purpose.

He pointed out that a large number of Kannadigas were placed in prominent positions in the US, while the numbers of tourists visiting that country had seen a rapid rise over the past few years.

Juster, for his part, said he would communicate the chief minister's request to the authorities concerned in the US.

Stating that around 370 US companies based in Bengaluru were contributing to the state's economy, Juster requested the government's help in resolving certain infrastructural issues faced by the firms.

Chief Secretary Ratna Prabha, who apprised the delegation, said several development projects, including Namma Metro, elevated express highways and a drinking water project (in collaboration with a Japanese company) had been taken up to ease the traffic and drinking water issues in the city.

US Consul General in Chennai Robert G Burgess; Political and Economics Officer Joseph Bernath and Public Affairs Officer Lauren Lovelace were also part of the delegation.