Ballari MP inaugurates bypass, opens MRI centre at District Hospital

Ballari Lok Sabha member E. Tukaram on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed bypass road between Veniveerapura and Hagari built under the NH-67 project, marking a major step in improving regional connectivity. The 25-km stretch forms part of the larger 95.370-km national highway project from Hosapete to the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border, taken up at a total cost of ₹830.28 crore.

Speaking after the inauguration, Mr. Tukaram said that nearly 78% of the work under the project had been completed, while construction around Bhuvanahalli, Vaddarahalli and Gadiganur, including a railway overbridge, was in progress. The new road, he said, would significantly ease traffic congestion caused by the earlier “unscientific” bypass near Sudha Cross, through which heavy vehicles routinely passed, inconveniencing daily commuters.

He announced that a detailed project report (DPR) was being prepared to upgrade the Sudha Cross–Kaul Bazaar stretch into a four-lane road, and that the railway overbridge near Sudha Cross was already under construction. “The Ballari Urban Development Authority has released ₹9 crore to the Railways for the overbridge near Durgamma Temple,” he added.

Mr. Tukaram said the DPR for a ring road connecting Ballari to Siruguppa via Veniveerapura was under preparation, with work estimated to cost ₹230 crore. “Once the full ring road network is completed, it will ensure seamless mobility and contribute to the integrated development of Akhanda Ballari,” he said.

Referring to industrial issues around Kudatini and Veniveerapura, the MP said that 2,659 acres acquired earlier for industries would be returned to farmers by ArcelorMittal, NMDC and Uttam Galva as they had clarified that they would not proceed with their earlier proposals.

“However, the NMDC has assured the government that a new industry will be set up by December-end, providing jobs to local residents, while Uttam Galva has proposed a ₹36,000-crore environment-friendly project for which discussions were recently held in the presence of the Chief Minister. We have written to the Centre recommending implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report to ensure employment for local youth in NMDC,” he said.

The MP performed the bhoomi pooja for a new bus shelter being constructed in front of Government Polytechnic College under his ₹10-lakh MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund for 2024–25. He also assured the college of installing a 2,000-litre RO drinking water unit soon.

MRI scanning centre

Later in the day, Mr. Tukaram inaugurated a state-of-the-art MRI scanning centre at the Ballari District Hospital, established at a cost of ₹12 crore under NMDC’s CSR initiative. Addressing the gathering, he urged people to prioritise their health.

The MP noted that the CSR framework introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — mandating that profit-making industries spend 2% of their earnings on public welfare — had enabled significant investment in education, health and skill development in Ballari.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Muhammad Haris Sumair said the new MRI facility was among the most advanced in the region, and that BPL cardholders would be able to avail themselves of scanning services for ₹1,150. District Surgeon Basareddy said the machine, based on advanced technology, would help diagnose bone and nerve-related disorders and would operate daily on a scheduled basis.