Union min announces ARAI research centre in Mandya

Mysuru: Union minister for heavy industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Sunday announced that an Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) research centre will be established in the Mandya Lok Sabha constituency at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore.Speaking to reporters, Kumaraswamy said the project would require 100 acres of land, and that he has written to chief minister Siddaramaiah seeking early allotment of land. "I'm confident the CM will provide the land at the earliest," he said.
Calling it a landmark project, the Union minister said the ARAI centre would act as a booster not only for the Mandya and Mysuru regions, but for Karnataka's entire automobile sector. Funds for the project were already earmarked in the Union Budget, he added.Explaining the significance of ARAI, Kumaraswamy said it is a premier autonomous R&D institution functioning under his ministry, playing a key role in testing, certification and research for the Indian automotive industry. Headquartered in Pune, ARAI serves as a bridge between the govt and the automobile industry, particularly in areas such as vehicle safety, emission control and technical standards.Stating that he wanted a world-class research centre of global standards to come up in Mandya, Kumaraswamy said the additional chief secretary of the revenue department has written to the Mandya DC on Jan 21 to identify suitable land. The first phase would see an investment of Rs 500 crore, with more investments planned later. "Once the state govt allots land, we are ready to move forward with implementation," he said, adding the CM is yet to respond formally.Responding to criticism on what he delivered after winning from Mandya, Kumaraswamy said the ARAI centre is the answer. "I did not write to the CM for drama. I'm working sincerely for the state's industrial development," he said, asserting that Karnataka is not treated unfairly in the Union Budget.Taking strong exception to the CMs remark that the budget handed the state an "empty pot" (chombu), Kumaraswamy said the criticism is aimed at covering up the state govt's failures. He pointed out that Karnataka's share under the 16th Finance Commission increased from Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 63,000 crore. "Is this an empty pot?" he asked.He said the Union govt is committed to reviving the Visvesvaraya Iron and Steel Plant (VSIP) at Bhadravati with an investment of Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 crore for speciality steel production, vital for defence and aerospace sectors. Efforts were also on to revive HMT, though he alleged hurdles from the state govt.Kumaraswamy accused the state govt of not utilising benefits from over 53 central schemes and of blaming the Centre for issues such as the Bengaluru Metro fare hike. He urged the state to improve centre-state relations in the spirit of cooperative federalism and stop blaming the Centre for every issue.