Badami MLA Bhimsen Chimmankatti Lays Foundation for ₹16-Crore Hi-Tech Bus Stand

Badami MLA Bhimsen B. Chimmankatti formally laid the foundation stone (bhoomi pooja) for the construction of a new hi-tech bus stand in Badami town of Bagalkote district. The infrastructure project, estimated at a total cost of ₹16 crore, is being jointly undertaken by the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) Bagalkot Division and the Public Works Department (PWD). The new facility comes as a major upgrade for local commuters as well as thousands of domestic and international tourists who visit Badami’s world-famous Chalukya-era cave temples and historical monuments daily. Under the initial phase of development, civil works worth ₹9.97 crore will be taken up immediately. To facilitate construction, the old bus station structure will be removed, and bus operations will temporarily operate from adjacent land near the Taluk Panchayat hostel campus. The proposed state-of-the-art bus terminal will offer modern amenities including a food court, women's waiting lounge, ticket counters, ATMs, commercial shops, an administrative office, modern restrooms, and structured parking. Speaking at the foundation-laying event, MLA Chimmankatti stated that strengthening public transport infrastructure is essential to supporting Badami’s heritage tourism and serving the daily travel needs of residents across the taluk.