Shivakumar asks Kumaraswamy to identify land for ARAI centre in Mandya

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar speaking after launching various development works in Mandya on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Saturday challenged Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel and Mandya MP H.D. Kumaraswamy to identify the land required for establishing the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) centre in Mandya, assuring that the State government would acquire the land and hand it over for the project.

“Let him (Mr. Kumaraswamy) choose the land for the project. The government will acquire the identified land and hand it over to him,” he told reporters in Mandya.

Mr. Shivakumar, who was in Mandya to lay the foundation stone for the Congress Bhavan and inaugurate various development works, rejected Mr. Kumaraswamy’s allegation that the Congress government was not cooperating with him in securing land for the proposed centre.

“We are ready to support and cooperate. First, he should come forward and implement the project. He has been making statements (on developing Mandya and bringing projects) for the past two-and-a-half years. The necessary land will be allocated,” he said.

Responding to Mr. Kumaraswamy’s allegation that disputed land was being earmarked for the project, the Chief Minister said the Union Minister was free to identify an alternative site. “Let him identify the land. We are ready to acquire that particular land,” he said.

Mr. Shivakumar said around 100 acres had already been identified for the project and that Mandya’s elected representatives, including Minister for Water Resources and district in-charge N. Cheluvarayaswamy and Mandya MLA Ravi, had extended their cooperation in bringing the project to the district.

On Mekedatu project

The Chief Minister said the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir-cum-Drinking Water Project would benefit Mandya and other districts, particularly during periods of rainfall deficit such as the current year.

He said the proposed 66 tmcft storage capacity could help meet the requirements of farmers in the Cauvery, Hemavathi, Kabini and Harangi command areas during distress years.

Mr. Shivakumar said he had met the Union Environment and Forest Minister in connection with the project and that a committee headed by the Mandya Deputy Commissioner had been constituted to oversee land acquisition. “Only 500 acres of farmers’ land will be required for the project, while the remaining land will be forest land. Alternative land will be provided in lieu of the forest land,” he said.

He added that he had requested BJP MPs to accompany him during his meetings with Central leaders to pursue the project.

Published - October 31, 2026 06:55 pm IST