BELAGAVI
Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi clarified that a total of 42 road projects were sanctioned by the Centre in coordination with the state government. Of these, the state granted full clearances for 27 projects, including land acquisition and transfer to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Clearance is pending for the remaining 15 projects, which, the minister said, will be resolved shortly.He was speaking at a media interaction programme organised by Media Association.
Jarkiholi also alleged that the Centre dropped a previously sanctioned flyover project for Belagavi due to opposition from local BJP leaders. The project was announced by Minister Nitin Gadkari, but was later withdrawn. However, the state government has decided to take up the project with its own funds. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will lay the foundation stone in October, he announced.
In a move to enhance efficiency, Jarkiholi said senior IAS officer Amlan Aditya Biswas has been appointed as the Principal Secretary of the department. I specifically requested his appointment to bring discipline and a long-term vision to the department, he noted.
Responding to concerns about pending contractor bills, the Minister criticised the previous BJP government for issuing work orders worth Rs 12,000 crore without budgetary allocations. We are clearing these dues in phases. “Most bills below Rs 1 crore have already been settled. We are balancing ongoing development with financial discipline,” he explained.
MLA Asif Sait was also present.
Jarkiholi said that the land acquisition for Belagavi-Dharwad new railway line is complete, while 80% of land acquisition for Belagavi Ring Road is done and a new Rs 10 crore sports complex is under construction at Ramtirth Nagar. A multi-speciality govt hospital is ready for inauguration, and 257 new Anganwadis have been sanctioned, he added.