HUBBALLI: Homes constructed under the Smart City initiative for families displaced by the Vani Vilas Circle Road expansion in Hubballi have not yet been handed over by the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC). Built in 2022 at the Kallur layout, these houses remain unoccupied, despite being allotted in September. Officials have indicated that delays are due to unfinished electrical work, sanitation issues, and lack of essential facilities, leaving beneficiaries awaiting possession.
MLA Mahesh Tenginkai allocated these houses to beneficiaries last September, with the HDMC promising the provision of basic amenities soon, but the tasks remain incomplete.
According to sources, construction commenced in 2019 and concluded in 2022. The installation of electrical meters has hindered the handover process. The newly built structures have deteriorated as vandals have broken windows. The houses are near the Unkal-Hosur bypass road, which has seen traffic grow significantly as the city expands. Traffic has further slowed since the establishment of the NWKRTC Hosur bus terminal.
Former corporator Shivanna Hirekerur remarked, “The HDMC has not delivered homes to the beneficiaries losing houses due to the development of the Unkal-Hosur bypass road. The buildings are aging, and this project was initiated in 2018 but remains unfinished.”
Beneficiary Parvathi K shared, “We are ready to move into our allotted homes. It has been over three months since the allocation, yet we have not received possession. We have worked as laborers for many years, having lived in this area for nearly 60 years.”
Another beneficiary, who wished to remain anonymous, mentioned that homes were allocated without essential amenities.
Rudresh Gali, HDMC commissioner, stated, “The installation of electrical meters has recently been completed, costing around Rs 4 lakh, which has delayed the handover. The houses will soon be transferred to the beneficiaries.”
Under the Smart City project, a total of 80 houses across four blocks have been built, with 47 allocated in the first phase last September. During the meeting, beneficiaries were encouraged to take possession during Dasara, but the handover has been postponed due to ongoing work.
