Shettar demands CM, DyCM's resignation over IPL stampede
Belagavi: MP Jagadish Shettar on Monday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, holding them morally responsible for the tragic stampede at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium during celebrations of RCB's maiden IPL title, which claimed 11 lives.Speaking to reporters, Shettar alleged that both leaders chose to go ahead with the event against police advice for political mileage. 'They have no moral right to remain in office. Blaming others, suspending police officials, or removing the Chief Minister's political secretary does not absolve them of responsibility,' he stated.Referring to reports that the police had advised postponement of the celebrations, Shettar said, 'While the public was witnessing a stampede, Siddaramaiah was seen enjoying sweets with his grandson. His claim of being unaware of the incident is irresponsible.'He further criticised the Chief Minister's comparison of the stampede to the one that occurred during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, saying the two situations were incomparable. 'Crores of people gather at Kumbh, yet crowd management is done effectively. The CM's attempt to draw a parallel is unacceptable,' he added.Progress on Belagavi projectsShifting focus to developmental issues, Shettar outlined the work being done in his constituency since being elected as MP. 'Several pending central government projects have been revived, with departments now working in co-ordination. Regular review meetings are being held to expedite progress,' he said.Shettar said land surveys for the Belagavi-Dharwad direct railway line have been completed, and discussions regarding compensation are underway. He acknowledged the role of the former minister of state for railways Suresh Angadi, under whose tenure Rs 927 crore had been sanctioned for the project.On infrastructure development, Shettar said obstacles to the proposed bypass and ring road in Belagavi have been cleared. 'The centre has sanctioned Rs 3,800 crore for the ring road project. However, the funds have not been utilised by the state government. We hope the work will commence soon,' he added.Rebuttal to Hebbalkar's claimResponding to Women & Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar, who credited Tourism Minister H K Patil for the release of funds for the development of the Renuka Yallamma Temple at Yellammanagudda in Savadatti, Shettar clarified that Rs 18 crore was sanctioned under the Prasad scheme during the tenure of Suresh Angadi and Mangala Angadi.He also revealed that Rs 100 crore was recently sanctioned by the centre under the 'Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Standards' scheme. 'This was based on my letter to the Prime Minister's Office. The PMO has officially acknowledged my proposal, and I have also held discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi,' Shettar asserted.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
an hour ago
- United News of India
Annual fish catch potential of Lakshadweep 1 lakh MT
Lakshadweep/Kochi, June 11 (UNI) Waters of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep hold an annual fish catch potential of 1 lakh MT, proving that fisheries are the backbone of its economy. Recognising fisheries as a vital sector and lifeline for Lakshadweep, the Centre has approved Rs 14.06 crore under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) for Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep has been designated as a Seaweed Cluster also, Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, George Kurian, said on Tuesday. In the education sector, the minister commended the 91.65% literacy rate in Lakshadweep and the zero school dropout rate. Eleven schools have been selected under the PM SHRI scheme, with high-speed internet, computer labs, and digital libraries enhancing learning experiences. In the healthcare sector, he said three 30-bedded hospitals are being constructed in Minicoy, Androth, and Kadmat at a cost of Rs 231.96 crore. The Ministry of Home Affairs has accorded in-principle approval for a nursing and paramedical college project worth Rs 127 crore. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has undertaken major infrastructure upgrades: Development of eastern and western jetties in Kadmat and Kalpeni and new port facilities in Androth worth Rs 1,664.88 crore. Proposals under examination for beachfront development, including roads and protection walls in Agatti, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, and Minicoy, at a cost of Rs 2,128.86 crore, he said. Eco-tourism is getting a major boost with three water villa projects being developed in Minicoy, Kadmat, and Suheli, in consultation with NITI Aayog, with a combined investment of Rs 810 crore. Weekly cruise liner operations are also underway, connecting Mumbai, Kochi, Agatti, and Thinnakara. To reduce dependence on diesel, an MoU was signed with Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). Rooftop solar systems were installed in over 450 homes. Solar plants were commissioned in Agatti (0.3 MW) and Kavaratti (1.4 MW). To ensure access to drinking water, 1.5 lakh litre/day desalination plants have been established on six islands. Under Jal Jeevan Mission, Rs 268.81 crore has been allocated to provide Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs) across all islands, he said. UNI DS ARN
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
For tunnel road tech, BBMP engineers visit Vizag, set to land in Kashmir next
BENGALURU: A team from the engineers' wing of BBMP has started visiting other Indian cities where tunnel road projects are being executed. This is to assess and adopt the best practices to execute the first phase of the 18-km-long tunnel road in Bengaluru. The cabinet on June 5, 2025 approved the construction of the north-south tunnel road corridor under the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model. Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru in-charge minister DK Shivakumar has been insisting on the project, claiming that it will decongest the city. The first phase will be taken up at a cost of Rs 17,000 crore. The team recently visited Visakhapatnam to study the New Australian Tunnelling Method (NATM) that is being used by the NHAI to build the 464-km tunnel road reaching Raipur. The BBMP team is going next to Kashmir to understand the tunnel projects there. 'We went to Vizag to understand NATM, the land required and the time it takes as compared to other regular methods. The existing technology used by BMRCL cannot be adopted for the road project as the diameter of the tunnel boring machine for the Metro rail project is 5.6 metre, while the road project requires at least 14.6 metre,' BBMP Chief Engineer BS Prahalad told TNIE. Understanding different models is essential when executing the project in Bengaluru, where land acquisition and cost is a concern, he said. 'We need to understand each of the tunnelling methods before coming to a conclusion. So far nothing has been finalised,' he added. The visits and the preparatory work is going on at a time when citizens and experts have demanded that the project be dropped and the public transport system be strengthened. They pointed out that what is being done in other cities cannot be replicated here without a thorough analysis. BBMP sources said that instead of studying the technology, the engineering team should look at the feasibility and requirements of other cities and compare them to Bengaluru. But that is not being done, they added. Prof Ashish Verma, a mobility expert from IISc, said, 'Studies and various models prepared by us have shown that public transport is better when compared to the tunnel road. It is not a feasible project in the long run.'
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
Red Line cost soars to Rs 776cr/km; BMRCL to review estimate, says MP
BENGALURU: Justifying that the Centre has rightly sought revisions in the Metro Phase 3A (Red Line) project, Bengaluru Central MP PC Mohan stated that the Namma Metro line from Sarjapur to Hebbal is the costliest project in the history of Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited's (BMRCL). 'Bengaluru's Metro Phase 3A (Red Line) from Sarjapur to Hebbal is crucial, but at Rs 28,405 crore (Rs 776 crore/km), it is the most expensive project in Namma Metro's history. The Centre has rightly sought revisions. BMRCL will now reassess and aim to reduce the high estimated costs,' he added. The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs had directed that the cost estimate be examined by an expert agency before granting final approval by the State Government. Factors like land acquisition, station construction, alignment and formation, traction & power supply, signalling and telecommunication and train procurement contribute to the high costs, according to the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The 36.59-km-long Red Line from Sarjapur to Hebbal consists of 22.14 km of elevated line and 14.45 km of tunnel with a total of 28 stations. There will be 17 stations on the elevated line and 11 stations on the tunnel.
