Shravanabelagola, April 24, 2017: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Monday, said that the visitors to Shravanabelagola during the Bahubali Mahamastakabhisheka, scheduled for February 2018, will not be inconvenienced as the government has released sufficient funds to augment civic amenities at the Jain pilgrim centre.Addressing the gathering after launching several development works, at an estimated cost of Rs 72 crore, at Bahubali Engineering College Grounds here, he said, more than 1.5 crore people are expected to attend the festival. In the last Mahamastakabhisheka, in 2006, one crore people had visited Shravanabelagola.

Addressing the gathering after launching several development works, at an estimated cost of Rs 72 crore, at Bahubali Engineering College Grounds here, he said, more than 1.5 crore people are expected to attend the festival. In the last Mahamastakabhisheka, in 2006, one crore people had visited Shravanabelagola.Siddaramaiah

Siddaramaiah said, he has directed District in-charge Minister A Manju to take necessary measures to celebrate the festival in a grand and meaningful manner. “Besides allocating Rs 175 crore funds for the festival, Rs 274 crore has been sanctioned to the PWD for laying of roads connecting Shravanabelagola and other development works. The government has also written to the Centre, seeking additional funds,” he said.

“Besides allocating Rs 175 crore funds for the festival, Rs 274 crore has been sanctioned to the PWD for laying of roads connecting Shravanabelagola and other development works. The government has also written to the Centre, seeking additional funds,” he said.He said that the dream of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda for the Hassan-Bengaluru rail service was finally

He said that the dream of former prime minister H D Deve Gowda for the Hassan-Bengaluru rail service was finally realised. Siddaramaiah, however, regretted the delay due to various reasons. “Pressure should be exerted on the Centre seeking additional rail services in the state, he said. Siddaramaiah said, he would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking more funds for the Mahamastakabhisheka.

“My wish is to make Hassan airport functional and give impetus for export of agricultural produce to foreign countries,” he said.

Jain mutt seer Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swami, writer Hampa Nagarajaiah, Mahotsava committee president Saritha M K Jain, Ministers A Manju and Dr G Parameshwara were present. – News Courtesy: Deccan Herald