Smart City Mission transforming Hubbali and Belagavi in Karnataka

Tolankere Lake in Hubbali redeveloped under smart city mission.

The Central Government’s Smart Cities Mission, which is being undertaken by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), has been transformative for Hubbali and Belagavi cities in Karnataka.

According to officials, in Hubbali as many as 59 projects including the redevelopment of Tolankere Lake, green mobility corridor and so on, have been completed at an estimated expenditure of Rs 810 crore. Similarly, in Belagavi, nearly 96 public welfare projects such as ‘Mahila Bazar’ and a therapy centre for specially-abled children have been completed at an investment of Rs 870 crore under the smart city initiative.

Also Read: MC Explains: What is Smart Cities Mission, and why has it been extended by a year?

The twin cities Hubbali-Dharwad were selected under the smart cities mission in 2017 and a special purpose vehicle, Hubbali Dharwad Smart City Corporation Limited (HDSCL) was formed.

Managing Director, HDSCL, Rudresh S Ghali, said that Hubbali has undertaken 63 projects which can be grouped under four categories -lakes and parks, buildings and infrastructure, healthcare projects and sports projects.

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He said that projects have ranged from developing rainwater harvesting systems to the creation of a green mobility corridor, and redevelopment of public markets, Tolankere and Unkal lakes, roads and hospitals.

“All these projects had a definite need. Out of 63 smart city projects, we have completed 59 projects and the remaining four will be completed by the end of June 2024. The total outlay under the smart city mission was Rs 930 crore. Of Rs 930 crore, we have utilised around Rs 810 crore so far,” Ghali told Moneycontrol.

Redeveloped under the Smart Cities Mission, Chitaguppi Hospital, which earlier was in dilapidated condition, has been converted into a hi-tech, multi-speciality hospital, Ghali said. Another key project is the Bengeri Central market, which has been built and equipped with facilities for farmers and street vendors. The Mahatma Gandhi Park in the city has also been redeveloped under the initiative and a musical fountain has also been set up in the park, he said.

Belagavi Smart City

Mahila Bazar in Belagavi

According to officials, Belagavi City has a population of about 5.07 lakh and is spread across 94.08 square kilometre area. The city was selected to be developed as a smart city in the first phase of the mission in 2016.

Syeda Afreen S Bellary, Managing Director of Belagavi Smart City, said that 102 projects were undertaken in Belagavi under the Smart City Mission. These were in the fields of healthcare, education, public infrastructure, information and technology and transport among others.

“Out of 102 projects, 96 have been completed and six are underway which will be completed next year. Out of Rs 930 crore budget allocated under the smart city mission, we have spent around Rs 871 crore on the smart cities projects so far. We require more funds to start more citizen-centric projects,” Bellary told Moneycontrol.

She said that Belagavi has been awarded 'United Nations- Smart Solutions and Inclusive Cities Awards 2022' by Minister, MoHUA, Hardeep Singh Puri, for the implementation of projects such as an e-library, a therapy centre for physically and mentally challenged children at the Mahatma Phule Park and the Kanabargi Lake Rejuvenation.

Belagavi’s “Mahila Bazar” – a women-led market – is the city’s centre of attraction, which is developed under the smart cities initiative. There are 56 shops which are all owned by women entrepreneurs. Twenty-nine of 56 shops offer famous dishes from across the country.

“Located on Atal Bihari Vajpayee road, the market is also known as ‘Khau Katta’ and is a culinary delight for people as they come here from nearby towns also,” Bellary said.