The Smart City project in Belagavi, Karnataka is facing legal action as the health department has lodged a complaint with the police. The authorities of the project are accused of conducting unauthorized civil constructions at the Vaccine Depot, an ecologically protected green space owned by the department. This development has sparked a case against the officials involved, adding a political dimension to the situation.
Dr. Mahesh Kone, the district health and family welfare officer, has registered a complaint with the Tilakwadi police, alleging that the managing director (MD) of the Smart City project failed to inform him about the construction activities taking place at the Vaccine Depot premises. According to Dr. Kone, there was also a lack of communication from the forest department regarding these works. In his complaint, Dr. Kone highlighted the unauthorized damage caused by the Smart City authorities to a significant number of trees and the natural beauty of the Vaccine Depot area in their pursuit of constructing structures for the project. This incident adds a political dimension to the ongoing situation.
In a recent development, the MD of the Smart City project in Belagavi, along with other officials associated with the project, has been named in a registered case at the Tilakwadi police station, as confirmed by Inspector Dayanand.
Upon receiving the information, Satish Jarkiholi, the district in-charge minister of Belagavi, and Laxmi Hebbalkar, the minister of women and child development, personally visited the depot area. In addition to reprimanding the Smart City officials, they took immediate action by ordering the suspension of the entire project.
Expressing his dismay, Minister Jarkiholi, who also holds the PWD ministry, expressed disappointment regarding the removal of trees and the adverse impact caused to the ecological value of the area by the Smart City officials. He emphasized that the government would not tolerate any harm inflicted upon a protected green space.
According to Jarkiholi, the Vaccine Depot has been under the jurisdiction of the health department since 2005 and has been utilized for various activities. However, he expressed shock at the Smart City authorities’ failure to inform or seek permission from the health department for the construction works carried out at the depot. The minister emphasized the responsibility of the state government to address the issue and urged the police department to conduct a thorough investigation to uncover the truth. He stressed that there is substantial evidence available to demonstrate the extent of the damage inflicted on the green space, and he called upon the police and the court to address the matter promptly.
Officials have disclosed that an estimated ₹10 crore has been spent on constructing structures at the depot, resulting in the destruction of numerous trees, including rare medicinal plants. Various amenities such as pathways, a glasshouse, and other structures have been erected in the area.
Minister Hebbalkar suggested that the structures and buildings planned under the Smart City project at the depot should be relocated to either Belagavi North or Belagavi Rural assembly segments.
Dr. Kone’s complaint did not specifically name the MD responsible for the constructions. The works were carried out during the tenures of Shashidhar Kurer and Bagewadi, who previously served as MDs of the project. Afreen Ballari assumed the role of MD for the Smart City project on Wednesday.
