Karnataka Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani meets Union Coal Minister Prahalad Joshi in New Delhi to develop KGF
Govt plans to revive industries in KGF; Seeks 3212 unused land belonging to BGML; Prahalad Joshi promises to consider Karnataka’s demand
New Delhi, NFAPost: The Karnataka government plans to convert abandoned goldfields at KGF into huge industrial township.
In an attempt to utilize the 3200-odd acres MF once a gold mine land at KGF in Kolar district, Large & Medium Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani here on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines minister Pralhad Joshi here seeking Centre’s help and cooperation.
Murugesh R Nirani urged Joshi to allow Karnataka to use large tracts of existing unused vacant land at KGF belonging to the now-defunct Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) to develop Industrial Township.
The Minister briefed Prahalad Joshi about the possibilities of reviving industries in the underdeveloped KGF and surrounding areas that have huge potential for industrial growth.
“The vacant land is suitable for development of industrial park/township which can spur economic activities in the region and create a lot of employment opportunities,” Nirani noted.
The Industries minister cited the findings of Mineral Exploration Corporation of India which concluded that the existing land belonging to BGML was unsuitable for further exploration. The government’s drone survey found that the 3212 acres of vacant land is suitable for development of Industrial Township.
“Further, the proximity of the National Highway along with the existing broad gauge railway line, International Airport, dry port and upcoming Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) are also advantages for rightful utilisation and development of Industrial parks,” said Murugesh R Nirani.
Responding to the demand, Pralhad Joshi promised to consider the State government’s request and take a suitable decision at the earliest. Last year he had said that the Centre was willing to hand over 3,200 acres of BGML land for an industrial park if no minerals were found during the survey.
The Kolar Gold Fields also known as KGF located 100 km from Bengaluru was established in the 1880s. It was abuzz with gold mining activities in the early 1900s, employed over 35,000 people and produced over 800 tonnes of gold and closed in 2001. It is now devoid of industries and development. Hundreds of thousands of youths from KGF, Bangarpet and other areas daily commute to Bengaluru for jobs and migrate to other cities in search of livelihood.
