Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday inaugurated the newly constructed multi-storey Kalamandir commercial complex in Tilakwadi, built under the Smart City project at a cost of ₹47.83 crore. Spread over 2.62 acres, the modern shopping and commercial facility is a joint initiative of the Central and State governments to boost urban infrastructure and economic activity in Belagavi.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Chief Minister said, “This multi-purpose Kalamandir and commercial complex will not only generate employment but also revenue for the city’s development.” He emphasized that the shops within the complex should be auctioned, and the income thus earned should be reinvested into the city’s progress.
Siddaramaiah underlined the significance of the Smart City initiative, stating that both the Central and State governments have equally shared the costs, with a total of ₹6,928 crore allocated for the state, of which ₹3,500 crore is the state’s share. Belagavi will soon witness the completion and inauguration of several more pending Smart City projects, he added.
In a notable development, the Chief Minister assured action toward increasing compensation for land acquisition related to the Halaga STP project. He reiterated the government’s commitment to comprehensive development in Belagavi and across the state.
Addressing public welfare, Siddaramaiah mentioned that steps are being taken to make civic workers permanent and provide direct employment with a minimum salary of ₹17,000, replacing contract-based recruitment. The government is also working on regularizing wages for drivers and cleaners and distributing three-wheelers to the disabled.
Distribution of Benefits and Facilities
During the event, various welfare items were symbolically distributed:
- Power-operated wheelchairs to 4 disabled persons under the 5% scheme.
- Safety gear and breakfast kits to sanitation workers (both permanent and outsourced).
- Laptops were distributed to 30 of 123 meritorious students (from SC/ST and OBC categories) pursuing BE and MBBS courses.
- A-Khata and B-Khata (e-Khata) certificates were issued by the Revenue Branch.
Urban Development Minister Bhairati Suresh hailed the new Kalamandir as a “state-of-the-art commercial and cultural complex” — a rare and significant development in North Karnataka. He praised the Chief Minister’s efforts in upgrading infrastructure like malls, art halls, and bus stands across Karnataka.
He also announced that ₹200 crore is being allocated to each of the 10 municipal corporations in the state to improve urban infrastructure. In the next three years, local bodies will begin paying salaries to all civic workers and recognize them as official government employees.
MLA Abhay Patil, who presided over the function, said Belagavi is the only city in Karnataka to have implemented several unique initiatives under the Smart City project. He urged the CM to sanction an additional ₹5 crore to acquire 17 more acres of land for a ₹165-crore waste treatment plant in the rural belt.
The event saw the presence of several dignitaries including Public Works and District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi, Minister for Women & Child Development and Disability Affairs Lakshmi Hebbalkar, Government Chief Whip Ashok Pattan, Belagavi North MLA Asif (Raju) Seth, MLC Channaraj Hottiholi, BUDA Chairman Laxman Rao Chingale, Urban Development Secretary Deepa Cholan, District Collector Mohammed Roshan, ZP CEO Rahul Shinde, Mayor Mangesh Pawar, Deputy Mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, Municipal Commissioner Shubha B, and Smart City MD Syeda Afreen Banu Bellary.