North Karnataka bodies renew demand for second capital, international airport

A coalition of associations from north Karnataka has renewed its demand for a second capital in the region and an international airport, passing a unanimous resolution urging the State Government to act on what it describes as long-standing regional imbalances.

The demand was raised at a meeting of representatives of various north Karnataka associations held at Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha in Dharwad on September 16.

Presiding over the meeting, Shivakumar Meti, president of the Federation of North Karnataka Associations, said the organisation was working for the overall development of the region. He asked the government to focus on land, water, infrastructure and cultural development, and said a second capital and an international airport would strengthen connectivity as well as administrative and economic growth.

Federation general secretary Shankar Pagoji said the government should take the issue of regional imbalance seriously, arguing that continued neglect had forced organisations in the region to intensify their efforts to draw attention to their demands.

Shankar Halagatti, general secretary of Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha, said the concerns extended beyond economic and infrastructure development to the cultural sphere, and called on political representatives from the region to take up the issues more actively with the government.

Manjunath Hagedar, president of the North Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, said the region faced disparities in the entertainment sector as well and sought corrective measures.

Nagesh Golshetty, secretary of the North Karnataka Agitation Committee, said organisations had been campaigning for the region's development for several years and warned that continued neglect could strengthen demands for a separate State.

Federation vice-president Basavaraj Bilur said concentrating development around Bengaluru and Mysuru would not address regional disparities, and urged the State Government to announce a special package for north Karnataka.

Among those present were Prakash Gowdar of Pakshi Mitra, Shrishailagowda Kamatar of the Kali Agitation Committee, senior Mallakhamba exponent Siddaroodha Hoogar, and office-bearers of the Bengaluru-based North Karnataka Mahasamsthe, including Basayya Nandikola, Shantesh Math and Devaraj Kavalikayi.