Udupi: 80 Badagabettu project to be shifted to Brahmavar?
Sheeja Moodubelle
Pics: Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Aug 10: Following locals' protest over the proposed conversion of 80 Badagabettu village into an industrial zone, there is now a possibility that the project may be shifted to the existing Brahmavar industrial zone.
Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Jayaprakash Hegde, speaking to daijiworld said, "The proposed 80 Badagabettu Industrial zone will be shifted to the existing Brahmavar industrial zone. A proposal in this regard has been sent to the state government.
Hegde said that there is an industrial zone in Brahmavar which has not been utilized for industrial purposes, whereas agricultural land has been industrialized. He also added that the barren land at Brahmavar can be used for the project.
Hegde added, “I don’t think anyone would oppose this or would have a problem with this,” bringing relief to thousands of residents of 80 Badagubettu.
Meanwhile, MLA Pramod Madhwaraj told daijiworld said that he does not have any information about such a zonal change. However, he did not deny it either.
Hegde shared his opinion regarding the defunct Brahmavar Sugar Factory and said that the government has to invest a minimum sum of Rs 150 to 200 crore to restart the project.
"Instead of investing such a huge amount in one particular project, the government should think about developing more small or medium scale industries to provide better job facilities for the locals and the youth," he said.
Hegde said, “When I was the chairman of the sugar factory, I personally experienced difficulties in running it as we have very limited sugar sources. Most of the time, we have to transport sugarcane from Shimoga. The transport charges are so high that the benefit is usually nil for the factory and the shareholders. Add to this the scarcity of water after March, and it will double the cause of difficulties. Because of the above factors, reviving the factory is not feasible at all,” he said, adding that this was his personal point of view.
Madhwaraj, speaking to daijiworld, said, “We have requested the government for Rs 15 crore to repay all liabilities to farmers, labourers, and the financial institutions. Our government primarily thinks of sorting out all the liabilities and only after that can we think about re-opening the factory.”