H D Kumaraswamy announces investment Rs 5,000 crore for rejuvenation of Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel plant

Bhadravathi: Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy announced that it has been decided to invest Rs 5,000 crore, for the rejuvenation of Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel plant (VISP) in Bhadravathi town under the first phase. "We don't need grant from the Centre but we need approval from the Union Finance Minister."

He was responding to a demand by Sri Taralabalu Brihanmutt Pontiff Shivamurthy Shivacharya Swamiji at the inaugural ceremony of nine-day Si Taralabalu Hunimee Mahotsava that started on a grand note at VISP helipad ground on the outskirts of the steel town on Saturday evening.

The minister promised that the rejuvenation of VISP is his first priority and he would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the plant would be rejuvenated and it would start producing quality steel in a couple of months.

On steel, he said currently, "We are importing steel from overseas. So I had requested the prime minister and union finance minister to give us an opportunity to produce quality steel here. The response from them has been positive."

Commenting on Visakhapatnam Steel Plant in Andhra Pradesh, he said, it had been decided to close down this plant due to loss. The plant was in debt amounting to Rs 35,000 crore loan. But now, the plant is producing 21 metric tonne steel. Similarly, the efforts would be made to rejuvenate VISP, he promised.

Earlier speaking at the event, Sri Taralabalu Brihanmutt Pontiff Shivamurthy Shivacharya Swamiji urged the union minister to take steps to ensure that the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would announce funds for the rejuvenation of Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant (VISP) in Bhadravathi town in the budget slated to be held presented on February 1.

The seer also announced that the mutt would provide grant of Rs 5 crore to the Centre for the rejuvenation of the plant.

The seer also urged the minister to take steps towards setting up fence around the VISP helipad ground(venue of the event) spread over 100 acres of land and construct walking track there for the benefit of people. This must not become waste dumping yard as it was earlier.

'Malli hagga', traditional Indian aerial sport, often described as a form of Mallakamba (pole gymnastics), performed by girls on a suspended rope drew the attention of the gathering.

Former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, Udupi-based Puttige Mutt Seer Sugunendra Theerrtha, Shivamogga Rural MLA Sharada Puryanaik, Chitradurga MP Govind Karajol, Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra, Holalkere MLA M Chandrappa, MLC S L Bhojegowda, Sharada Appaji, MLA B K Sangamesh and Srimath Sadhu Saddharma Veerashaiva Community Association president H R Basavarajappa, wife of former MLA the late M J Appaji and many dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The ‘Shivakunjara’ Robot Elephant’s Adventure

The Sirigere Mutt's robot elephant 'Shivakunjara', adorned with ivory and a special costume design, attracted the attention of the crowd.

Standing near the Mahamantapa, wiggling its trunk and ears, the elephant, which looked like a living elephant. Many people approached it with curiosity took selfies standing in front of it.