A region long defined by its dense forests and centuries-old silk looms is now at the centre of Karnataka's most ambitious district-level development push. On Wednesday, 30 September 2026, the Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka detailed key announcements made by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during the inauguration and foundation-laying ceremony for development works across the Kollegal and Hanur constituencies in Chamarajanagar district. Speaking at the event, CM Shivakumar declared that the government has resolved — sankalpavanu tottide (taken a solemn pledge) — to bring economic, educational, and social strength to the people of Chamarajanagar. 'The entire government stands with the people of Chamarajanagar,' he stated, adding that more than 25 infrastructure works received foundation stones at the ceremony.

₹1,000 Crore in Irrigation Works Committed to the District

The headline infrastructure number from the event is substantial. CM Shivakumar announced that ₹1,000 crore worth of irrigation projects have been sanctioned for Chamarajanagar, calling it the largest development the district has witnessed in his tenure. The specifics are granular: a work order of ₹120 crore has been issued for the integrated development of a chain of tanks under the Suvarnavati Irrigation Project; Gundlupet taluk is set to receive irrigation works worth ₹450 crore; canal works near Chamarajanagar town have been taken up; and Hanur has been allocated dedicated funds for groundwater development. The government has also been releasing funds through the irrigation department to convert fallow land into cultivable agricultural zones.

Handloom Gets Industrial Status — A Lifeline for Silk Country

For Kollegal, where silk weaving is not a hobby but a hereditary occupation, a cabinet decision carries particular weight. CM Shivakumar noted that following a cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, an 'historic decision' was taken to grant industrial status to the handloom sector. The move is designed to give structural protection to traditional weavers. The timing is notable: after imports of Chinese silk were curtailed, Karnataka's domestic silk fetched better prices — from Ballari to Haveri to Gadag, sericulture has been expanding. Industrial status locks in that momentum with policy muscle behind it. Mysore Silk, already a globally recognised brand, stands to benefit from the upgraded ecosystem.

University Rename and Social Commitments on the Table

Shivakumar also responded to a long-standing demand: Chamarajanagar University may be renamed Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University. He confirmed the proposal will be placed before the cabinet for a formal decision. Separately, the much-awaited Ambedkar Bhavan was inaugurated at the event. The Chief Minister also pledged that the government remains committed to addressing food kit demands raised by minority communities and tribal populations in the region. Shivakumar reached back to the pandemic to reinforce his government's credibility: during COVID-19, he and other district leaders personally visited the homes of 33 people who died of the virus in Chamarajanagar — a detail he used to argue that this government walks its talk. He also acknowledged former ministers K. Venkatesh and Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa for their service to the constituency under Siddaramaiah's leadership. He closed with an unambiguous political signal: 'Your government will return to power in 2028 as well, on the strength of your support and our development.' Development, he said, is not just buildings — it is shaping the dreams of the people. A district with royal history, a silk heritage, and a generation waiting for irrigation water now has a ₹1,000 crore bet placed on its future.