<p>Belagavi: Public Works Department and District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi announced that the Health Department has sanctioned a new district hospital for Gokak to better serve the health needs of the district’s growing population.</p><p>He also revealed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lay the foundation stone for the first phase of the elevated corridor and the new deputy commissioner’s office complex in October.</p><p>The announcements were made during a media interaction organised by the Belagavi Journalists’ Association at the Information & Public Relations Department office here on Wednesday.</p><p><strong>100-bed hospitals</strong></p><p>Jarkiholi highlighted the increasing demand for health facilities in the district, noting that besides the new hospital in Gokak, 100-bedded hospitals have also been sanctioned for Savadatti, Ramdurg, and Athani. The construction of the super-specialty hospital in Belagavi City has been completed and is expected to be inaugurated soon, he said.</p><p>Regarding infrastructure, Jarkiholi said, the first phase of the elevated corridor will connect the National Highway to Sambhaji Circle, with the second phase extending up to the third railway gate. Earlier attempts to secure central government funding for these projects fell through, prompting the state government to allocate funds from its own budget to fulfill these commitments, he said.</p><p>He said, the works of the Public Works Department were clearly visible to the public. “We are executing high-quality road projects designed to last over five years. Work on National Highways is also underway. We have acquired land for 27 highway projects across the state and handed them over to the National Highway Authority of India, while 15 more are awaiting clearance.”</p><p><strong>80% landowners compensated</strong></p><p>The minister said, land acquisition for the Belagavi-Dharwad direct railway line and the Bennali-Mache-B S Yeddiyurappa Marg ring road is nearly complete, with 80% of landowners compensated. Both projects are expected to commence soon.</p><p>Jarkiholi said that after the Congress government came to power, they faced a backlog of Rs 12,000 crore in unpaid dues to PWD contractors, as no budget had been allocated by the previous BJP government. Along with clearing these outstanding payments, they have also been implementing new projects, he said.</p><p>To maintain roads, the Public Works Department has employed 1,500 mile-coolies, workers responsible for pothole repairs and clearing roadside tree branches, covering every 30 km stretch. Inspection bungalows will also be maintained with appointed cooks, cleaners, and support staff. The department is actively clearing encroachments on PWD land, and recently recovered seven acres in Raibag, he added.</p><p>On the Mahadayi river project, Jarkiholi urged the central BJP government to grant the necessary environmental clearances, stating that the Mahadayi River Disputes Tribunal has allocated water fairly after considering all aspects.</p>
<p>Belagavi: Public Works Department and District In-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi announced that the Health Department has sanctioned a new district hospital for Gokak to better serve the health needs of the district’s growing population.</p><p>He also revealed that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lay the foundation stone for the first phase of the elevated corridor and the new deputy commissioner’s office complex in October.</p><p>The announcements were made during a media interaction organised by the Belagavi Journalists’ Association at the Information & Public Relations Department office here on Wednesday.</p><p><strong>100-bed hospitals</strong></p><p>Jarkiholi highlighted the increasing demand for health facilities in the district, noting that besides the new hospital in Gokak, 100-bedded hospitals have also been sanctioned for Savadatti, Ramdurg, and Athani. The construction of the super-specialty hospital in Belagavi City has been completed and is expected to be inaugurated soon, he said.</p><p>Regarding infrastructure, Jarkiholi said, the first phase of the elevated corridor will connect the National Highway to Sambhaji Circle, with the second phase extending up to the third railway gate. Earlier attempts to secure central government funding for these projects fell through, prompting the state government to allocate funds from its own budget to fulfill these commitments, he said.</p><p>He said, the works of the Public Works Department were clearly visible to the public. “We are executing high-quality road projects designed to last over five years. Work on National Highways is also underway. We have acquired land for 27 highway projects across the state and handed them over to the National Highway Authority of India, while 15 more are awaiting clearance.”</p><p><strong>80% landowners compensated</strong></p><p>The minister said, land acquisition for the Belagavi-Dharwad direct railway line and the Bennali-Mache-B S Yeddiyurappa Marg ring road is nearly complete, with 80% of landowners compensated. Both projects are expected to commence soon.</p><p>Jarkiholi said that after the Congress government came to power, they faced a backlog of Rs 12,000 crore in unpaid dues to PWD contractors, as no budget had been allocated by the previous BJP government. Along with clearing these outstanding payments, they have also been implementing new projects, he said.</p><p>To maintain roads, the Public Works Department has employed 1,500 mile-coolies, workers responsible for pothole repairs and clearing roadside tree branches, covering every 30 km stretch. Inspection bungalows will also be maintained with appointed cooks, cleaners, and support staff. The department is actively clearing encroachments on PWD land, and recently recovered seven acres in Raibag, he added.</p><p>On the Mahadayi river project, Jarkiholi urged the central BJP government to grant the necessary environmental clearances, stating that the Mahadayi River Disputes Tribunal has allocated water fairly after considering all aspects.</p>
