Karnataka buys land in Goa to build Kannada Bhavan after decades-long demand

Belagavi: In a significant step toward fulfilling a long-standing demand, the Karnataka govt has purchased two acres in Goa for the construction of a Kannada Bhavan. The initiative aims to serve the linguistic and cultural needs of the Kannada-speaking community residing in the neighbouring state.The project is being funded by the Karnataka Border Area Development Authority (KBADA). It was announced in the 2022–23 State Budget, following persistent appeals from Kannada organisations in Goa.To chart out the next phase of the project, KBADA chairman Somanna Bevinamarad held a meeting in Goa on Wednesday. KBADA member Prakash Mattihalli, Siddanna Meti (Kannada Sahitya Parishad – Goa Border Unit), and other committee members, including Hanumant Reddy, Rajesh Shetty, and Shivanand Bingi, were present at the meeting, according to the release.During the meeting, Bevinamarad confirmed that 11,571.2 sqft of land (survey No. 113/9) at Ambarame Matta in Cortalim Village, Vasco-Mormugao taluk, was acquired for the project."Kannadigas in Goa have been requesting a Kannada Bhavan for over four decades. Nearly six lakh Kannadigas reside in Goa. Responding to their long-pending appeal, the govt procured private land, and construction will begin soon," Bevinamarad said.The proposed Kannada Bhavan will be a multi-purpose facility, including parking in the basement, a commercial complex (for rental income to support maintenance) on the ground floor, a dining hall and library on the first floor, a cultural hall with a seating capacity of 1,000 people on the second floor, and 10–15 VIP guest rooms for Kannadigas visiting the bhavan on the third floor.The state govt initially sought land from the Goa govt, making several formal requests. However, with no positive response, Karnataka opted to purchase private land to proceed with the construction independently. The initiative was taken in response to continuous lobbying by the Akhila Goa Kannada Maha Sangha, among other Kannada organisations, for a dedicated cultural and community space in Goa.