Mandya: Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy yesterday launched development works worth Rs. 718 crore in Melukote Assembly Constituency.

The CM laid the foundation stone for new bus stands at Shivalli and Jakkanahalli and launched works aimed at feeding water to 54 water bodies at a programme to be held at the Government PU College in Dudda.

Kumaraswamy later chaired a meeting where setting up of Melukote Abhivruddhi Pradhikara (Melukote Development Authority) was proposed. The meeting was held at the Melukote Travellers Bungalow at 4.45 pm. Mandya District Minister C.S. Puttaraju was present. At the meeting, Mandya DC N. Manjushree gave a Power-Point presentation to the CM on the Development Authority.

The CM told the officers and elected representatives that the Melukote Development Authority must be broadened to form an umbrella organisation where Disneyland project at Krishna Raja Sagar Dam, Thonnur Lake development plan and development projects at Shravanabelagola, Srirangapatna, Somanathapura and Talakadu will come under one roof. A master plan must be made to develop all these places, Kumaraswamy said. As part of his visit to Mandya, Kumaraswamy visited the famous Cheluvanarayanaswamy Temple at Melukote and had the darshan of the presiding deity.  Later in the evening, the CM inaugurated the three-day Thonnur Lake festival.