Hubballi–Dharwad wins ‘CITIIS Challenge’

‘Green Mobility Corridor’ project to get additional ₹80 crore

Having won the ‘CITIIS Challenge’, Hubballi–Dharwad is all set to get an additional funding of ₹80 crore from the Union government for its ‘Green Mobility Corridor’ project which involves development of a bicycle corridor along with development of a storm-water drain.

The Union government had announced the ‘Cities Investment to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain (CITIIS) Challenge’ in July 2018 to identify top 15 projects from 100 cities chosen under the Smart City Mission.

Among the seven smart cities in Karnataka, Davangere and Hubballi-Dharwad had participated in the contest by sending their projects. In all, 67 project proposals were received by the Centre from 36 smart cities on the four themes of the challenge. An eminent jury comprising of nine experts evaluated the proposals and the Green Mobility Corridor project of Hubballi-Dharwad was chosen for additional funding under the sustainable mobility category.

The project is aimed at building a dedicate bicycle corridor along the banks of a storm-water drain that stretches for around 8.5 km in Hubballi and is presently fed by discharge from Unakal lake. The project is estimated to cost around ₹130 crore. Under the project, it has been proposed to construct multi-arched check dams with walkway and cycle tracks with canopy.

Aims of the project

The project is aimed at transformation of the city backyard by providing better connectivity, waterfront development and involves construction and redevelopment of 17 bridges and crossovers.

Deputy Commissioner of Udupi Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, who was involved in the planning of the project as managing director of Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Ltd. (HDSCL), told The Hindu over the phone that environmental and social assessment form and endorsement of the State government for sharing the repayment of AFD loan with the Union government in 50:50 ratio had been submitted.

She said that ₹50 crore had been allocated for ‘Nala development’ in two projects and the same would be utilised for meeting the remaining project cost of the ₹130-crore project. “The project was designed by considering the larger picture of development of the city and to make it a model one for the country. And now that the project has been chosen under CITIIS Challenge; it would be a unique green corridor,” she said.