₹500 crore ARAI Research Centre to be set up in Mandya, says HDK

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H. D. Kumaraswamy said the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) Research Centre will be established in Mandya at a cost of ₹500 crore.

Addressing a press conference in Mysuru on Sunday, Mr Kumaraswamy said the project requires 100 acres of land and he had written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seeking allocation of land at the earliest.

The ARAI centre would not only benefit Mandya and Mysuru region, but would act as a major booster for the entire automobile sector of the State.

Funds for the project have already been earmarked in the Union Budget.

ARAI, a premier autonomous research and development organisation functioning under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, serves as the principal authority for testing, certification and research in the Indian automotive sector.  Headquartered in Pune, ARAI acts as a bridge between the Government and the automobile industry by ensuring compliance with standards related to vehicle safety, emissions control and technical quality, the Union Minister explained.

Stating that he wished to establish such a world-class centre of quality and excellence in Mandya, Mr. Kumaraswamy said the additional chief secretary to the State Government’s Revenue Department has written to the Mandya Deputy Commissioner to identify suitable land for the project.

He said the ARAI Centre is his answer to the criticism by some MLAs from Mandya, who repeatedly questioned him on what he had brought to the district after winning the Lok Sabha election from Mandya Lok Sabha constituency.

No injustice to state

Mr. Kumaraswamy maintained that there has been no injustice to Karnataka in the Union Budget.

Referring to the Chief Minister’s remark that the state had been given an “empty pot”, Mr. Kumaraswamy questioned how a Chief Minister, who is preparing to present his 17th Budget, could not understand the vision behind such a “forward-looking” Union Budget.

Contending that the Narendra Modi-led Government at the Centre was functioning effectively, Mr Kumaraswamy said trade agreements had been signed with the European Union and United States while “increased commercial activity and higher exports” are benefiting the country’s farmers. 

If there is any ‘empty pot’, it is from the State Government to the people of the state, he said.

He alleged that the State Government had failed to utilise the benefits of more than 53 Central schemes and is criticising the Union Budget only to cover up its own failures.

The Centre has provided funds, but the State has failed to utilise them properly. Under the 16th Finance Commission, the State was to receive ₹50,000 crore, which has now been increased to ₹63,000 crore, he claimed.

He urged the State Government, which is always blaming the Centre, to build a good relationship with the Union Government and seek projects for the benefit of the state instead.

Mysuru MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, JD (S) MLA G D Harish Gowda and BJP MLA Srivatsa, besides former Minister S R Mahesh were also present on the occasion.