Bangalore (Karnataka), November 30, 2004: The Government of Karnataka has released a sum of rupees 25 crores for the preparations of the Mahamasthakabhishekha of Bhagawan Bahubali at Shravanabelagola to be held in 2006. The chief minister of Karnataka Sri Dharamsingh announced this in a press meet at Bangalore.
He was speaking after attending a meeting organised to review the preparations of the Mahamasthakabhishekha. While briefing the press persons about the steps taken by the Government of Karnataka for the success of this mega event he said that here after the Hassan district in charge minister Sri H.D.Revanna would be conducting the regular monthly meeting to review the Mahamasthakabhishekha preparations and he would be conducting the same once in two months.
He said that the Government is expecting around 25 lakh visitors for the mega event from India and abroad. He expressed his satisfaction over the preparations.
He expressed a hope that the Hassan-Shravanabelagola railway line would be completed by March 2005. He said that the central Government would be urged upon to complete the Bangalore-Shravanabelagola railway line by January 2006 and thereby making way for the easy transportation of the pilgrims and tourists visiting Shravanabelagola. It could be recalled here that the present UPA Government at the centre have reserved certain amount for the completion of this much awaited railway line in its budget for the year 2004-2005.
He promised that special funds would be reserved in the forth coming state budget for the year 2005-06 for the development of roads connecting Shravanabelagola, establishing a sub electricity distribution centre to ensure 24 hours electricity supply at the centre, upgrading the local hospital to 50 beds strength, construction of guest houses for the visitors, construction of a small domestic airport at Hassan for the tourists, providing continuous drinking water facility to Shravanabelagola from the Hemavathi river.
He also said that due attention has been paid towards the beautification of Shravanabelagola, construction of toilets & bath houses, construction of small towns and at providing other necessary facilities.
The meeting was presided over by the chief minister. The Public Works Department minister Sri H.D.Revanna, chief whip Sri Abhaychandra Jain, member of the legislative council Sri M.R.Tanga, the Shravanabelagola M.L.A. Sri C.S.Puttegowda, Sri Nirmal Kumar Surana, Sri D.Surendra Kumar of Dharmasthala, chief secretary to the Government of Karnataka Sri K.K.Mishra, state police chief Sri S.N.Borker, chief secretary of the finance department Sri K.P.Pandey, secretary of the revenue department Smt. Gowri Trivedi, south zone I.G.P. Sri Bipin Gopala Krishna, Hassan District collector Sri Aswath Narayana Gowda, superintendent of police Hassan district Sri Panduranga Rane and others participated in the meeting. – Jain Heritage Centres News Service (JHCNS)