Chief Minister asks Union Minister to pick land for Mandya testing centre

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar challenged Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy to find the land needed for an Automotive Research Association of India centre in Mandya, promising the state government will buy and hand it over.

The Land Issue

Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Mr. Shivakumar pushed back against claims that the state government is not cooperating with the Union Minister in securing land for the proposed facility. He told Mr. Kumaraswamy to choose a site himself, noting that the minister is also free to pick an alternative plot if he believes the current option is disputed. About 100 acres have already been identified with help from local leaders, including district in-charge N. Cheluvarayaswamy and Mandya MLA Ravi.

Water Project Plans

The Chief Minister also discussed the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir-cum-Drinking Water Project, stating it will help Mandya and nearby areas during years with low rainfall. The planned project features a 66 tmcft storage capacity to support farmers in command areas like Cauvery, Hemavathi, Kabini, and Harangi during difficult periods.

Context

Automotive research centers focus on testing vehicle safety, emissions, and performance to meet industry standards. Large infrastructure and irrigation projects often require coordination between state and central authorities for land acquisition and environmental clearances.