Urban Development Minister U.T. Khader said here on Wednesday that the much-delayed Hubballi-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) would become operational on November 1.
Speaking to presspersons after visiting various locations here, Mr. Khader said that BRTS officials have assured him of completing the infrastructure work within one month and run buses on November 1.
“The engineer concerned will be held responsible and the contractor of this project would be blacklisted if buses are not run on November 1,” he replied to a query.
When presspersons drew his attention to the long-delayed project, though officials and Ministers had given fresh dates every time, Mr. Khader said that he could be held responsible in case buses did not run on November 1. Moreover, he added, it was one-of-a-kind projects in the State and local elected representatives and other stakeholders need to ensure better coordination to ensure its early completion.
He said that approval for the ₹ 24-crore bulk water supply project to draw water from the Malaprabha reservoir to fill the Neersagar tank, which has dried up, would be given within 15 days. Similarly, the Indira Canteens too would be opened within 15 days here, he added.
Smart City project
Following queries from presspersons on selecting works which have been taken up in other schemes earlier under the Smart City project, Mr. Khader said that the development grants should be spent on priority basis. He suggested to officials to give a second thought to the action plan of the Smart City project.
Housing project
As part of its initiative to provide affordable housing, the Karnataka State Housing Development Corporation (KSHDC) would build and distribute 62,000 houses across the State, he said.
Mr. Khader said that of the total number of 62,000 houses, 22,000 would be built in the North Karnataka region. These houses would be constructed under a joint venture project of the Union and State governments. Under this project, quality houses would be built within the stipulated time and distributed to the beneficiaries. The Chief Minister would launch this project on August 12 in Hubballi, he said.
