Hubballi:  Assuring that he would give top priority to the implementation the third phase of Upper Krishna Project (UKP), newly-appointed Chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai on Thursday expressed hope that the permission to increase the height of Almatti dam would be available soon, as the inter-state dispute in this issue is expected to come for hearing in the Supreme Court within one-and-a-half months.

Speaking to newsmen at airport, he said this project would boost agriculture and economic growth of North Karnataka region. After getting the approval and gazette notification, resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) plan would also be prepared before increasing the height of the dam, he noted, adding that he has clarity in this issue.

Expressing his love towards Hubballli-Dharwad, Bommai stated that he would make honest efforts for infrastructure and industrial development in the twin cities, after getting suggestions from Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi, former chief minister Jagadish Shettar and others.

On his way via Hubballi, Bommai also visited samadhi of his parents' at Amargol near Hubballi, performed puja and paid respect to them. Before that, he also visited Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) office 'Keshav Kunj.

After becoming the chief minister, Bommai's first visit outside Bengaluru is to Uttara Kannada district on Thursday. He is visiting areas damaged due to heavy rains, and inspecting relief works taken up in Yellapur and Karwar-Ankola Assembly constituencies there.