Belagavi/Mysuru: With the inclusion of Belagavi among the list of Union Government’s ‘Smart City’ projects, it is expected that all major infrastructure projects, which have remained on paper for over a decade, may now be taken up. Many leaders, who had fought for the implementation of these projects, including ring road, have welcomed Centre's decision and demanded that the government should now clear them in the first phase of Smart City project.
The state government will be releasing Rs 100 crore as special grants to Belagavi City Corporation for development of city's infrastructure. According to sources, the Centre will be releasing Rs 500 crore in various phases for the development of Belagavi under Smart City project in the course of next five years. In the first phase, Rs 200 crore will be released for the proposed projects.
MPs Suresh Angadi and Prabhakar Kore felt the government can utilise the funds to develop Belagavi into a model city and implement all the pending projects. To overcome congestion, local authorities had proposed a ring road, a flyover and three rail overbridges, but failed to get them implemented.
The local leaders are confident that the three major projects will be launched in the first phase. The city provides a vital link to Goa and Maharashtra.
The Smart City project will also work towards improving water supply, power supply and other basic amenities. Local leader felt the project will help make Belagavi the second capital of the state in the real sense.
Meanwhile, Mysuru was not included in the list. R. Chandraprakash of Mysuru Grahakara Parishat said: “The failure to execute JNNURM projects and delay in Raja path project on Jumbo Savari procession route and inclination towards fancy projects like rope way to Chamundi hills, have cost the city dear and it failed to bag the Smart City tag.
We are happy to hear that Mangaluru has been selected for smart city project. This will put Magaluru on the global map and help attract more investment. With the money provided by the central government we want to develop infrastructure such as roads, water supply and drainage facility
— Jesinta Vijaya Alfred, Mayor, Mangaluru City Corporation
Selection of Mangaluru for the smart city project is a matter of pride. However, our city lacks dedicated officials to effectively implement this project. Be it KUDSCEMP or four laning of national
highway, none of the special projects in Mangaluru have been implemented properly. Thus to implement PM’s dream project, we need a dedicated team of officials
— Hanumanth Kamath, Nagarika Hitharakshana Vedike, Mangaluru
Being the home town of CM, preference should have been given to Mysuru. The project would have given boost to tourism and investment in the industrial sector. It indicates discrimination and injustice to the city. Even now we can appeal to the Centre to consider Mysuru under the scheme
— R. Lingappa, Mayor, Mysuru
