Vijayapura MLA Basanagouda Yatnal stirred an important debate during the Belagavi Winter Session, underscoring the need for equitable regional development in Karnataka. He pointed out that while South Karnataka enjoys substantial infrastructure and facilities, North Karnataka needs to be noticed.
Yatnal proposed upgrading Belagavi and Hubli airports to international status as an alternative to constructing a second airport for Bengaluru. This initiative, he argued, would ease the burden on Bengaluru Airport while boosting the local economy and fostering growth in tourism, agriculture, textiles, trade, and commerce.
He called for a stronger focus on North Karnataka’s development to balance the state’s progress, urging the government to decentralize projects predominantly concentrated in South Karnataka. Yatnal also advocated for Belagavi to be declared Karnataka’s second capital, similar to Nagpur’s role in Maharashtra, to reduce the dependency on Bengaluru for official matters.
Additionally, he pressed for more government offices to be relocated to Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi, ensuring it remains active year-round. Yatnal suggested alternating cabinet meetings between Bengaluru and Belagavi to address regional concerns effectively.
He also criticized the poor state of bus services in North Karnataka, calling for better quality transportation to the region.
