Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday dedicated four projects — Income Tax Tribunal in Bengaluru, ESIC Medical College and PGIMSR at Rajajinagar in Bengaluru, a super-speciality block at Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi, and Ladies Hostel for students from the northeast on Bangalore University campus — through video-conferencing from Nutan Vidyalaya Grounds in Kalaburagi.
He also laid the foundation stone for the Kalaburagi depot of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
Addressing a public rally organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the same venue later, the Prime Minister said the BPCL’s Raichur depot was too small to meet the growing requirements of the region and the new depot that would be constructed on around 56 acres would fill the gap.
A BPCL note that was released on the occasion stated that the new depot would come up near Nandur railway station and would be fully automated depot with proposed tankage of 30,620 kl for MS, HSD, ethanol, and biodiesel. The ₹206.26-crore project is expected to be completed by December 31, 2020.
The super-speciality block at KIMS in Hubballi that was dedicated to the nation by the Prime Minister is a 200-bed facility having eight super-speciality blocks — nephrology, urology, neurology, neurosurgery, paediatric surgery, plastic surgery, medical gastroenterology, and surgical gastroenterology. The project cost of ₹150 crore was shared by the Union and State governments, 80% and 20%, respectively.
UPA govt. blamed
Mr. Modi blamed the previous UPA government for inordinate delay in the completion of the ESIC Medical College in Bengaluru. “It is among the six ESIC medical colleges in the country. The decision to establish this medical college was taken in 2009 and the actual work began in 2011 and proceeded at a snail’s pace. Our government fastened the work and finished it for your service. With this medical college, Karnataka would get additional 100 MBBS seats and 50 postgraduate seats,” he said.
Focus on northeast
Mr. Modi mentioned the hostel meant for northeast students in Bengaluru that he inaugurated and took the opportunity to express his government’s commitment to the development of the north-eastern region.
“I am delighted that a girls’ hostel in Bangalore University is being dedicated to the nation. This will cater to the needs of the students from the northeast. These youngsters may be away from home, but the Central government is always there for their welfare. It is our privilege that the NDA government has got the opportunity to work extensively for the northeast. We have accorded top priority for the development of the northeast. It includes ensuring proper infrastructure, connectivity, harnessing water resources, better health care, education, and more,” he said.
Between the inauguration of the projects and laying the foundation stone to the BPCL’s Kalaburagi depot, the Prime Minister interacted with some Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries for 10 minutes.