Khader: BRTS buses will start running from Nov 1

Hubballi: If BRTS won’t launch its operations from November 1, we will initiate action against KRDL engineers and blacklist contractors, said urban development and housing minister U T Khader.
Speaking to reporters here after visiting various development projects in Hubballi on Wednesday, Khader said he was aware of the fact that Hubballi-Dharwad citizens are fed up with the delay of BRTS project which is going on from the past 7 years. “This time, people can hold me responsible if buses do not operate from Karnataka Rajyotsava. I will hold KRDL engineers and contractors responsible,” he said.

He added that BRTS has given an international look for Hubballi-Dharwad and twin cities will emerge as model cities for the nation.

When asked about hurdles like land acquisition for the BRTS project, he said local elected representatives and officials should resolve them.

When his attention was drawn to evacuation of religious structures on BRTS corridor, he expressed helplessness and said such problems arise in all projects in democratic countries which need to be managed by local people only.

On handing over BRTS to NWKRTC, he said the transport department would take an appropriate decision once BRTS buses start operations.

Clarifying that the government was not showing any disparity towards Hubballi-Dharwad, he said a proposal seeking Rs 24 crore will be approved within 15 days to provide drinking water to the twin cities.

To a query on unpaid pensions amounting to Rs 134 crore to be paid by HDMC, he said the government will release Rs 117 crore soon and think about remaining funds. “As the funds were rejected by HDMC itself between 2014 and 2017, this has become an issue,” he opined.

22,000 houses for N K’taka

Khader said government is geared up to construct 63,000 houses in collaboration with Union government in the state.

“Out of 63,000, 22,000 will be built in North Karnataka. Chief minister Kumaraswamy will launch construction of houses in Hubballi on August 12. The work will be qualitative and time bound,” he said.

FOB impresses minister

Khader was impressed by the foot over bridge (FOB) constructed by BRTS and searched for HDMC commissioner C W Shakeel Ahmed to tell him to construct such an FOB at New Bus Stand on Gokul Road. As Shakeel Ahmed was not available on the spot, he gave the direction to other HDMC officials.

Siddaramaiah still CM

It seems that Khader is under the impression that Siddaramaiah is still the chief minister. While addressing media persons, he said, “CM Siddaramaiah is committed for the development of NK region.” He corrected himself immediately when MLA Prasad Abbayya alerted him to the faux pas.