Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced plans to transform Kalaburagi into a smart city with an investment of Rs 16.85 billion. The initiative aims to enhance the overall development of the Kalyana Karnataka region. Under the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana 2.0, Rs 2 billion each will be allocated for basic infrastructure in Kalaburagi and Ballari municipal corporations. The announcement was made during the 'Kalyana Karnataka Amrut Mahotsav' and the 10th anniversary of the region's special status under Article 371(J) of the Constitution. Siddaramaiah highlighted the region's historical significance, noting that while India gained independence in 1947, the districts of Bidar, Kalaburagi, and Raichur, then under Nizam rule, secured freedom a year later due to the efforts of freedom fighters, Jawaharlal Nehru's vision, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's strength. To further support the region's development, the state government has introduced the Kalyana Patha scheme, aimed at improving road connectivity and rural development. This project will involve the construction of 1,150 km of roads in rural Assembly constituencies at a cost of Rs 10 billion. Additionally, Siddaramaiah expressed the state government's willingness to support the establishment of an AIIMS institute in Raichur and urged the Central government to take immediate action. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the state aims to generate 48.5 billion person-days of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in the seven districts of the Kalyana Karnataka region. To date, 34.3 billion person-days have been generated, providing employment to 1.369 million individuals. To boost tourism in the Koppal district, particularly around the famous Anjanadri Hill, a Rs 1 billion investment has been planned. In Ballari, the government plans to develop a Jeans Apparel Park and Common Facility Centre to organize and upgrade the unorganized jeans industry to world-class standards. The 2024-25 state budget includes an allocation of Rs 50 billion for the Kalyana Karnataka Development Board. A committee led by Professor Govind Rao has been established to study the economic and social changes in the region and recommend strategies to reduce inequalities, signaling a new phase of progress for Kalyana Karnataka. (ET)