Daijiworld Media Network - Hubballi (SHP)

Hubballi, Sep 7: The state urban development minister B A Basavaraj maintained that the Karnataka government has requested the Centre to include Ballari, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura and Mysuru in the list of Smart Cities in the coming year.

The minister was addressing media persons on Sunday in Hubballi after inspected the on-going works in the city and after talking to officers.

“I see that there is not enough progress in several works. They need to be completed on time. I will not tolerate any delay,” Basavaraj said directing the officers to complete the pending developmental works as soon as possible.

Several of the Smart City projects and other projects were completed. Union minister Pralhad Joshi and industries minister Jagadish Shettar would inaugurate them on October 5, Basavaraj said.

"Coronavirus has led to a reduction of 10% of municipal taxes. Efforts would be made to make good the loss," he said.

While inspecting various work sites in the city, the minister was found reprimanding officers for the delay in completing projects.

He visited roads in Gokul industrial area that are being taken up at a cost of Rs 27 crore. Officers told him that they would be completed by October. The command and control centre is being built at a cost of Rs 7.5 crore. The re-development of the Indira glasshouse is being taken up at a cost of Rs 17.5 crore.

He said that a meeting of all stakeholders, including members of the morning walkers association, would be organised to look into complaints of low-quality construction.

Toilets and lamps would be put up near the glasshouse. A 100-bed hospital is being built at a cost of Rs 19.5 crore. A fish market would be built to rehabilitate street vendors. The Tolan Lake would be developed in three months and a sewage treatment plant would be inaugurated soon, officers said Basavaraj. The Janata Bazaar would be shifted. The government High School in Ghantikeri is being repaired, he said.