<p>Hubballi: Acknowledging the poor coordination resulting in the slow pace of centre-sponsored flyover construction in Hubballi, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi promised to convene a meeting of officials and the contractor next week to address the issue and expedite the work.</p><p>"Lack of safety, and contractor not responding after an accident are being cited as the causes for the delay. I will hold a meeting of PWD Principal Secretary Selvakumar, deputy commissioner, contractor and other stake holders next week to resolve the issues," he said.</p><p>After performing bhumi puja for the construction of a vehicle underpass on NH 48 (old NH-4) at a cost of Rs 12.44 crore at Noolvi Cross in Hubballi (Rural) taluk on Monday, he said he would call the main contractor for the meeting so that issues related to the flyover project could be resolved.</p><p>"I don't accuse anybody. Works are not moving after that accident (death of a policeman). As the state government's PWD NH division is implementing it, I have requested District In-charge Minister Santosh Lad to give momentum, and he is also trying. I have also requested him to ensure the officials work in tandem," he said.</p><p>Stating that the demand for a vehicle underpass at Noolvi Cross was not raised when public notification was issued to upgrade the national highway into a six-lane, Joshi said the underpass is now sanctioned after many accidents took place and people insisted on it.</p><p>He also assured to look into farmers' demand to construct underpasses at the half ring-road on the outskirts of Hubballi city. When officials, engineers and consultants don't understand people's problems, the people should raise the demand when public notification is issued for such projects, he said.</p><p>Joshi also informed the Hubballi-Dharwad bypass upgradation would be almost over by October, except for a few bridges.</p><p>Addressing the gathering at the light vehicle underpass (LVUP) construction bhumi puja at Noolvi Cross, Joshi said road construction and railway line electrification under the Modi government has been much more than that of the UPA regime.</p><p>Modi government has given much focus on infrastructure development and farmers' welfare, while huge subsidy is given on fertilisers, he added.</p><p>Joshi also instructed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials to increase the height of the LVUP to 5.5 metres.</p><p><strong>Smart City projects</strong> </p><p>"HDMC should takeover the works implemented under the ‘Smart City’ project and maintain them. But, they lack funds. We should work towards capacity building of local bodies,” Joshi noted.</p><p>If there are errors in the works, they should be rectified, and handed over. As the state government officials implemented the project, the district administration has been asked to resolve the issue, he noted.</p><p>Kundgol MLA M R Patil, T G Balannavar, Eeranna Jadi, and others were present.</p>
<p>Hubballi: Acknowledging the poor coordination resulting in the slow pace of centre-sponsored flyover construction in Hubballi, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi promised to convene a meeting of officials and the contractor next week to address the issue and expedite the work.</p><p>"Lack of safety, and contractor not responding after an accident are being cited as the causes for the delay. I will hold a meeting of PWD Principal Secretary Selvakumar, deputy commissioner, contractor and other stake holders next week to resolve the issues," he said.</p><p>After performing bhumi puja for the construction of a vehicle underpass on NH 48 (old NH-4) at a cost of Rs 12.44 crore at Noolvi Cross in Hubballi (Rural) taluk on Monday, he said he would call the main contractor for the meeting so that issues related to the flyover project could be resolved.</p><p>"I don't accuse anybody. Works are not moving after that accident (death of a policeman). As the state government's PWD NH division is implementing it, I have requested District In-charge Minister Santosh Lad to give momentum, and he is also trying. I have also requested him to ensure the officials work in tandem," he said.</p><p>Stating that the demand for a vehicle underpass at Noolvi Cross was not raised when public notification was issued to upgrade the national highway into a six-lane, Joshi said the underpass is now sanctioned after many accidents took place and people insisted on it.</p><p>He also assured to look into farmers' demand to construct underpasses at the half ring-road on the outskirts of Hubballi city. When officials, engineers and consultants don't understand people's problems, the people should raise the demand when public notification is issued for such projects, he said.</p><p>Joshi also informed the Hubballi-Dharwad bypass upgradation would be almost over by October, except for a few bridges.</p><p>Addressing the gathering at the light vehicle underpass (LVUP) construction bhumi puja at Noolvi Cross, Joshi said road construction and railway line electrification under the Modi government has been much more than that of the UPA regime.</p><p>Modi government has given much focus on infrastructure development and farmers' welfare, while huge subsidy is given on fertilisers, he added.</p><p>Joshi also instructed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials to increase the height of the LVUP to 5.5 metres.</p><p><strong>Smart City projects</strong> </p><p>"HDMC should takeover the works implemented under the ‘Smart City’ project and maintain them. But, they lack funds. We should work towards capacity building of local bodies,” Joshi noted.</p><p>If there are errors in the works, they should be rectified, and handed over. As the state government officials implemented the project, the district administration has been asked to resolve the issue, he noted.</p><p>Kundgol MLA M R Patil, T G Balannavar, Eeranna Jadi, and others were present.</p>
