Nandi Hills gears up for cabinet meet, major decisions likely
Chikkaballapur, June 14 (UNI) The Karnataka Cabinet is set to convene atop the iconic Nandi Hills on June 19, with a major announcement on a Rs 150 crore fully government-funded international flower market expected to headline the meeting, giving a significant boost to Chikkaballapur district's agrarian economy.
The market, long demanded by local stakeholders, is being developed without a public-private partnership, signalling direct State investment in strengthening the district's renowned flower and vegetable trade. 'The government has agreed to invest the full amount, and the announcement is likely to be made during the Cabinet session,' local MLA Pradeep Eshwar said.
In preparation for the high-profile meet, Nandi Hills is undergoing a major facelift. From road repairs to ornamental landscaping, officials from the Public Works and Horticulture Departments are overseeing intensive civic work. The venue — the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation's (KSTDC) Mayura Pine Top restaurant — is being spruced up with new air-conditioning, upgraded restrooms, and boosted Wi-Fi bandwidth to support live streaming of the proceedings.
'This will be a milestone for KSTDC,' said Mayura Pine Top manager Manoj Kumar, adding that infrastructure upgrades were in full swing.
The Cabinet hall, offering sweeping views of Chikkaballapur, will house Ministers, while separate arrangements are being made for supporting staff and officials. In view of the meeting, public access to Nandi Hills will be restricted from 6 pm on June 16 to 5 am on June 20.
Officials also said that proposals under consideration include increasing the Jakkalamadagu reservoir's capacity, giving final approval for the Nandi Hills ropeway project, and recommending the historic Bhoga Nandishwara temple for UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
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