Latest news with #DKShivakumar
Hans India
36 minutes ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Union Ministers, MPs must safeguard state's interests: DKS
Bengaluru: In view of Maharashtra CM raising objection to increasing height of Alamatti dam, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday called upon the Union Ministers and MPs from Karnataka to safeguard state's interests. 'As per the Krishna Tribunal's order, Karnataka can increase the height of Alamatti dam to 524 meters. Maharashtra, which was quiet when the order was pronounced, has suddenly written a letter to our CM objecting to it. I appeal to all the Union Ministers and MPs with folded hands to protect state's interest in this,' the DCM, who also handles Irrigation portfolio, said addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha. 'Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has written a letter to our CM Siddaramaiah on May 9 raising objection to increasing the height of Alamatti dam. Stating that Sangli and Kolhapur districts would face flooding if the height of the dam is raised, the letter has asked for re-evaluating the plan. This letter is a shock to us. Maharashtra had never raised objection to this project till now. They had not raised any issues when the Tribunal passed its judgement in 2010. Maharashtra had even submitted an affidavit to the Tribunal seeking increasing Alamatti height but it is opposing it all of a sudden. 'This project is our right accorded by the Krishna Tribunal. Our CM will give a reply to the letter by the Maharashtra CM. Union Minister V Somanna is part of Union Jal Shakthi ministry. Alamatti project is needed for the state, we don't want friction with our neighbouring state. The cost escalation is very due to delay in this project. We would need Rs 1 lakh crore for land acquisition for this project,' he said. 'Flooding in Maharashtra is their internal matter and they need to fix it. We will meet the PM and the Union Jal Shakthi Minister and put pressure regarding this. Karnataka has been waiting for a Gazette notification for increasing Alamatti height since 2013. How long should we wait? We will share the letter from Maharashtra CM and our reply to that to all our MPs.' Asked if Maharashtra CM's letter has a political motive, he said, 'I don't want to get into that now, I will only speak for our state's interest. There is no scientific basis for the letter. Increasing Alamatti dam is our right and we appeal to all parties concerned to let us execute the project.'
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Climate clubs in schools, colleges to act as green vanguard
BENGALURU: To create awareness of the environment, green energy, cleanliness, water conservation and quality air among the children, 'Climate Action Clubs' will be set up in schools and colleges, said Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. Addressing the media on Monday, he said, 'Ahead of World Environment Day, to keep Bengaluru green and clean, the clubs will be set up. Each club will have one teacher and at least 25 students.' Shivakumar who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister said that necessary badges and certificates for the club members would be provided by the government. Mentioning the three cities Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru which are involved in the climate action plan he said, 'As part of this, we have launched new projects. There are 6,000 schools in the Greater Bengaluru area, of which 4,500 are private and 1,500 are government schools. All these schools have been requested to participate in this project.'
India Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- India Today
Karnataka to build South Asia's tallest skydeck in Bengaluru's Kempegowda Layout
After months of uncertainty and opposition from academics, the Karnataka government has decided to shift its ambitious Skydeck project to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) near Kengeri, Bengaluru. The 250-metre-tall structure, expected to be South Asia's tallest observation deck, will now be constructed in the newly developed layout on Bengaluru's western May 24, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar had announced that the state government had decided to relocate its proposed sky deck project to Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout (NPKL) near Kengeri. The initial site at Hemmigepura was found to be unsuitable due to its proximity to Kempegowda International Airport. 'We had decided to build the sky deck in Hemmigepura but it may not be possible as it should be at least 20 km from the airport. Hence, we have decided to build the sky deck in Kempe Gowda layout,' Shivakumar had proposed tower, once completed, will offer a 360-degree view of the city and will be the tallest of its kind in South Asia. To put its scale into perspective, the structure will be more than three times the height of Delhi's Qutub Minar, which stands at 73 metres. It will also eclipse Bengaluru's current tallest building, the CNTC Presidential Tower, which reaches approximately 160 metres. The skydeck will be developed over 25 acres of land with an estimated budget of Rs 500 conceptual idea for the skydeck draws inspiration from iconic global structures such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris and the Statue of Liberty in New York. The Karnataka Cabinet approved the project as part of Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar's broader Brand Bengaluru vision to create a signature landmark for the city. advertisement IN THIS STORY#Bengaluru#Karnataka
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
Bengaluru civic body to rope in police to curb illegal waste dumping
Under a new initiative, Bengaluru civic authorities will soon rope in the city police to curb illegal waste dumping. Apart from this, a new website will be launched on June 6 to allow residents to raise complaints regarding waste dumping in their localities. Addressing a news conference on Monday, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said that the initiatives were part of the 'Clean Bengaluru Action Plan', which will be announced on the said date. 'We will install more (CCTV) cameras (in areas where dumping is rampant). We will launch a website to alert us about waste dumping. The police will be involved (for action against the offenders),' he said. The government is also mulling increasing the fine for improper waste disposal, especially dumping of construction debris, he said. Currently, the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) levies fines ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh for improper waste disposal. Commenting on the Green Bengaluru Vision, Shivakumar said that Rs 120 crore was allocated for the development of parks and lakes in the city. In 2023-24, 19 new parks were constructed and 47 were upgraded, while 19 lakes were developed and 40 were fenced. In 2024-25, 1,500 groundwater recharge pits were constructed, apart from works on various lakes in the city, the minister informed. On account of World Environment Day, which is celebrated every year on June 5, the GBA will give away Blu-Green Awards recognising the efforts of individuals, institutions, and communities that have contributed to the city's Climate Action Goals. Shivakumar said that GBA has received 175 entries for the award across sectors such as water, waste, urban planning, biodiversity, air quality, disaster management, and energy. The applicants for the prize include resident welfare associations, government bodies, schools, start-ups, and non-government organisations. Of the applications, 15 were selected by a jury. The winners will be feted during an event scheduled for June 6.
India Today
11 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
DK Shivakumar seeks Centre's help as Maharashtra opposes dam height increase
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday appealed to Union Ministers and Members of Parliament from the state to stand united in safeguarding Karnataka's interests, after Maharashtra raised objections to the proposed increase in the height of the Alamatti reporters at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar, who also holds the Irrigation portfolio, said Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had written a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on May 9, warning that raising the dam height could cause flooding in Maharashtra's Sangli and Kolhapur a post on X, Shivakumar wrote, 'We do not seek confrontation with our neighbouring state. But we must assert what is legally and justly ours.' advertisement'This letter came as a shock to us,' Shivakumar said. 'Maharashtra had not raised any objection when the Krishna Tribunal passed its judgement in 2010. In fact, they had even submitted an affidavit seeking an increase in the height of the Alamatti dam. Why this sudden change in stand?'The Krishna Tribunal's verdict allows Karnataka to increase the dam's height to 524 meters. Shivakumar insisted that the state has full rights to implement the project and said further delays would escalate costs, particularly land acquisition, which he pegged at Rs 1 lakh appealed to all Karnataka MPs and Union Ministers to unite in support of the project. 'I fold my hands and appeal to all our MPs, regardless of party lines, to protect the state's interest. Union Minister V Somanna is part of the Jal Shakti Ministry and I hope he will represent our concerns.'advertisementShivakumar also said the Karnataka government would soon meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister to press for a Gazette notification, pending since 2013, allowing the increase in dam height.'This is not a political issue. There is no scientific basis to Maharashtra's objections. Flooding in their region is for them to resolve. Karnataka has waited long enough,' Shivakumar said, adding that the state will share both Maharashtra's letter and its reply with all Karnataka Alamatti Dam, or the Lal Bahadur Shastri Dam, is a key hydroelectric and irrigation project on the Krishna River in Bagalkote district, North proposal to raise the dam height from 519 to 524.2 metres would create an additional storage capacity of 100 tmcft and expand irrigation coverage by 6 lakh hectares. But it faces key challenges, including submersion of a considerable portion of the Bagalkot town. IN THIS STORY#Karnataka#Maharashtra
