Major decisions with  regard to the development and beautification of the City were taken at the progress review meet held at the office of Deputy Commissioner, in the City, on Tuesday. Issues related to construction of swimming pool, completion of underground drainage, widening of BH Road and upgrading link roads within the City, comprehensive drinking water scheme were discussed at the meet.
Swimming pool
Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa who chaired the meet expressed dissatisfaction about snail’s pace in implementing development works in the City limits. Regarding the construction of swimming pool which is long standing demand of the citizens, the meet decided to utilise vacant space adjacent to Balabhavan. DyCM informed that swimming pool will comeup at Rs 3 crore cost and necessary infrastructure will be provided at the place. Since, the place is under the control of Department of Women and Child Welfare, DyCM instructed for transferring the same to Department of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Department of Sports and Youth Affairs will mobilise necessary funds and local bodies like City Municipal Council and others will support the venture, he said.
Medical College
Addressing the meet, Principal of Government Medical College Dr Chidanandappa said that the college will become functional from present academic year. 1st phase of work related to physical infrastructure in the college has completed and next phase of work is under progress. Reacting to this, DyCM asked the concerned officials to address the loopholes observed by team of Medical Council of India which visited the college recently.
As per MCI guidelines, staff of McGann Hospital have been transferred to Medical College.
DyCM asked the Principal to bring the issue to the notice of the council.
District incharge Secretary Siddaiah informed the meet that Director of Medical Education who is in New Delhi will convince the MCI about initiatives undertaken to upgrade infrastructure and compel by MCI guidelines.
Drinking water
Officer from Karnataka Water Supply and Sewage Board informed the meet that comprehensive drinking water project has been undertaken in the City at Rs 27 crore and the work will be completed by April 2008.
In the treatment plant, filter shells have already been installed but work related to construction of overhead tanks are pending, he stated. When District incharge Secretary Siddaiah draw the attention of meet regarding shortage of staff in KWSSB, Minister Eshwarappa suggested that surplus staff in other places can be deputed for places facing shortage.
Road
DyCM Yediyurappa informed the meet that in total Rs 47.5 crore has been released for upgrading roads in the City.
The amount includes Rs 17 crore for extending BH Road, and Rs 20 crore allotted in the budget for upgrading link roads in the City.
 In addition to this, Rs 10.5 crore has been released for upgrading roads, he said.
Presenting details about upgradation work, City Municipal Council Commissioner Jayyanna informed the meet that action plan regarding upgrading link roads in the City at Rs 30 crore cost will be finalised at the earliest.
Official who represented State Road Development Corporation Limited in the meet informed that proposal for converting stretch of BH Road from Shimoga to Bhadravati into four lane at Rs 14 crore estimate cost has been submitted to National Highway Authority.
The officer also said that NHA nod for the proposal is expected within 15 days.
Cricket stadium
With regard to the construction of cricket stadium at Navile, DyCM said that KSCA Chairperson Brijesh Patel has agreed to start the work at the earliest. DyCM also assured of holding another round of talks with KSCA in this regard.
Chairperson of Urban Development Authority Channabasappa, Deputy Commissioner Anil Kumar, Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr Bore Gowda and others took part in the meet.