B.Y. Raghavendra, Shivamogga MP
| Photo Credit: File Photo
B.Y. Raghavendra, Shivamogga MP, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing a 12-year tenure, stating that the Malnad region received development grants totalling ₹22,000 crore during this period.Addressing a press conference on Friday, Mr. Raghavendra said the country had witnessed significant growth across all sectors over the past 12 years. Under Mr. Modi’s leadership, he said, India had emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy and was progressing towards the goal of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. He noted that India’s GDP had grown from approximately 106 lakh crore in 2014, when Mr. Modi assumed office, to 331 lakh crore, representing more than a threefold increase.The Malnad region received substantial infrastructure investment during Mr. Modi’s tenure, Mr. Raghavendra said. Shivamogga city benefited from ‘Smart City’ projects valued at over ₹990 crore. The long-awaited Sigandur bridge, constructed to serve communities affected by the Sharavathi hydroelectric project in Sagar taluk, was another significant achievement. The city also inaugurated an airport named after Rashtrakavi Kuvempu, he added.Mr. Raghavendra further stated that the final location survey for a proposed railway line connecting Shivamogga and Mangaluru via Sringeri had been completed. A detailed project report would be prepared shortly, he said.When asked about allegations of discriminatory treatment towards Karnataka in the allocation of Central grants, Mr. Raghavendra dismissed them as baseless. “The Union government has not discriminated against Karnataka,” he said.Regarding the suspension of flight services on the Bengaluru-Shivamogga route, Mr. Raghavendra said he would petition the Centre to include the route in the UDAN (Regional Connectivity) scheme to facilitate its revival. Published - June 12, 2026 06:42 pm IST
