RVD wants pothole-free roads in H-D by Sept 10

Admiting that many roads in twin cities are in a pathetic condition, District In-charge Minister R V Deshpande instructed the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) and the District Administration to make all roads in the twin cities pothole-free by September 10.

"Poor quality of road works, lack of co-ordination between various departments which lead to digging up of developed roads lead to damaged roads and patholes. Rs 4.5 crore tenders are already called for taking up patchworks, and all potholes in the twin cities should be filled by September 10," he said.

Chairing a meeting to review the progress of the Smart City project, here on Monday, he took officials of different departments to tasks for lack of co-ordination, due to which developed roads were dug up for laying utility lines.

Deputy commissioner should ensure proper co-ordination between different department, for proper planning, so that developed roads are not dug up.

When asked about more than Rs 100 crore pending pension grants to the HDMC, he said, "I will look into the matter".

Slow progress

'Smart City' project started for Hubballi-Dharwad in 2016 itself, and we are still in tender process for various works. There is no dearth of funds. Rs 216 crore is released, but only Rs 6.34 crore is spent so far. Only 16 works are tendered, and DPR is prepared for 17 works, Deshpande said, instructing the officials to speed up the works.

HDMC Commissioner C W Shakeel Ahmed, who is also the managing director of the Hubballi-Dharwad Cmart City Limited (HDSCL), explained the progress works under the 'Smart City' project including e-toilets, Nala development, rainwater harvesting, smart roads, integrated command and control centre, slum development, Tolanakere development, swimming pool development, and Nehru Stadium rejuvenation.

Deshpande also asked the officials to move a proposal to appoint a full-time managing director for the HDSCL, to hold another discussion regarding adding parking and other facilities in Nehru Stadium, and to involve people's representatives in project planning and implementation.

MP Pralhad Joshi lamented that elected representatives were not involved in planning, and he suggested to have separate committees to maintain the parks developed.

Deshpande advised to plan innovative works under 'Smart City', which can attract investment.

However, Deshpande refused to answer a query on his foreign tour next mo0nth, saying 'it is my personal visit'.

'Open e-toilets in 7 days'

District In-charge Minister R V Deshpande instructed 'Smart City' officials to inaugurate e-toilets set up at seven places in the City within seven days.

"Make all required arrangements, invite people's repsentatives, and inaugurate them in simple function, and there is no need to spend much for the function. But, maintain the e-toilets properly," Deshpande said.

MLAs Arvind Bellad, Prasad Abbayya, Mayor Sudhir Saraf, Deputy Mayor Menaka Hurali, Deputy Commissioner Deepa Cholan, and others were present.