google.com, pub-7870541769880094, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0

Minister Bairati Suresh orders inquiry into quality of Smart City projects in six places in Karnataka – Karnataka News


Urban Development Minister BS ‘Bairati’ Suresh, on Thursday, directed officials to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the activities being carried out in six Smart City projects of Karnataka, outside Bengaluru, and submit a report.

In the review meeting, Bairati Suresh reviewed the progress of Smart City projects in six districts: Belagavi, Davangere, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Shivamogga and Tumkur. Bengaluru was not included in the list; work worth Rs 877.82 crore has been completed in the capital.

Mentioning the unsatisfactory performance of many completed projects, he ordered the Secretary of the Department of Urban Development to form a committee, including an independent organization, to investigate these projects and submit a report within three months. The committee will have officials from the Urban Development Department, Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation, Public Works Department, and technical experts from universities and IISc (Indian Institute of Science).

The projects are funded equally by the central government and the state, and most of the works have now been completed. However, Suresh expressed concern about funds being spent more on roads, drainage, parks, and maintenance, instead of permanent infrastructure. He said the money should have been used more to build permanent structures such as smart schools, hospitals, libraries and bus stands.

The work done under the Smart City campaign should focus on the construction of permanent government assets, adding that it was not appropriate to spend money on building roads, water transportation and other similar things, the Minister advised the six City Executive Directors.

Each city received an estimated Rs 990 crore grant, of which education and health received 2 percent each, 8 percent each for information technology and transportation system, 20 percent for lakes and parks combined, 9 percent for markets. , 36% for road construction, 5% for sports, 18% for developing other infrastructures.

During the progress review meeting, Suresh noted that while many projects were nearing completion, others were not well executed. He said that all completed works must be investigated.

He also emphasized that the remaining money must prioritize the construction of smart schools with advanced technology to benefit disadvantaged children. He noted the dissatisfaction expressed by the local representatives regarding the ongoing projects in Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Shivamogga and warned against further mistakes.

The Smart City initiative will be completed by March 2025. Senior officials, including Urban Development Secretary Deepa Cholan, Managing Director of Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation, and representatives of six Smart Cities, attended the review meeting.

Published By:

Jan 3, 2025



Source link

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top