‘We will get airport named after Kempe Gowda’

‘We will get airport named after Kempe Gowda’

Staff Reporter
Allocations increased to

Rs. 2,438 crore

Projects launched in Rajajeshwarinagar segment

Bangalore: Vowing to go before the people with the “development mantra”, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa on Monday promised to name the Bengaluru International Airport after the city’s founder Nadaprabhu Kempe Gowda. He also said that Kempe Gowda’s birth anniversary would be celebrated as a State festival henceforth.

Speaking after launching several development works in Rajajeshwarinagar Assembly Constituency, the Chief Minister said the State Government would send a recommendation to the Union Government to rename BIAL after Kempe Gowda.

Reeling out statistics on the budgetary allocation made by the State Government for development of the city, the Chief Minister, who arrived three hours late, said: “Our allocations for the development of the city have increased year after year. While we had set aside Rs. 480 crore in 2005-2006, it has been increased to Rs. 2,438 crore this year.”

Long wait
Although the programme was organised to lay the foundation stone for various BBMP works in the Jaiprakash Narayan Park in Mathikere, people were transported in buses from all over the constituency. It was a long wait for them under the scorching sun as the Chief Minister was late by three hours. Sources said that with the BBMP elections nearing, several aspiring councillors had used the opportunity to display their strength.

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for various works, including a community hall, musical fountain, a world-class swimming pool, basketball court and drinking water lines apart from several civil works to be taken up at a cost of Rs. 26 crore.

He presented 400 goods vehicles to unemployed persons under the BBMP’s self-employment scheme.