Hubballi-Dharwad is slated to receive a significant influx of resources, with proposals including a Skill Training Academy costing ₹200 crore, four 'Vidyarthi (student) Indira Canteens, and 'plug & play' LEAP labs. These initiatives were unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as part of the State Budget presented on March 6. The budget, amounting to a total of ₹4,09,549 crores, signals a commitment to comprehensive development across various sectors, from urban infrastructure to social welfare programs, with specific attention directed towards the northern regions of the state.
The plan to establish a Skill Training Academy in Hubballi-Dharwad at an estimated cost of ₹200 crore stands out as a major investment in regional development. Concurrently, the state intends to set up 10 new Government Tool Room and Training Centre (GTTC) centres across Karnataka, backed by a ₹60 crore investment, aimed at bolstering skill development and technical training statewide.
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Further allocations for Hubballi-Dharwad include a Digital Library and Study Centre, with Dharwad also designated to receive such a facility alongside Bengaluru, at a cost of ₹10 crore each. This initiative is framed as a support mechanism for students preparing for competitive examinations. The budget also outlines the establishment of e-courts in Dharwad, along with Bengaluru, Kalaburagi, and Mysuru, as part of a move towards a paperless and more efficient judicial system.
Beyond educational and judicial infrastructure, a 'De-Addiction and Rehabilitation Centre' for children under 18 facing drug addiction has been sanctioned for Dharwad, slated for setup in collaboration with the Dharwad Institute of Mental Health And Neurosciences (DIMHANS). Additionally, paramedical courses are set to be introduced through the Labour Insurance Society in Hubballi and other select locations.
The budget's broader scope includes the opening of 62 residential labour schools for the children of workers, with a phased plan to reach a total of 104 schools. Other developmental proposals targeting industrial growth in North Karnataka include the establishment of flatted factories with 'plug-and-play' facilities and textile parks in various locations. The budget also mentions plans for airport development in Vijayapura and Raichur, and proposed actions related to the Kalasa-Banduri canal diversion project.
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The overarching objective, as presented by the government, is to stimulate education, employment, industry, and infrastructure development within the Hubballi-Dharwad region and across North Karnataka. These proposals are presented against a backdrop of calls for industrial and retail growth beyond Bengaluru, and the need for sustained investment in sectors like healthcare.
