Hubballi: Although Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Limited (HDSCL) is very keen to implement the ambitious project of installing smart poles in the city, the project is hanging on balance.
HDSCL was to set up around 200 smart or intelligent poles with some interesting features and it was touted as one of the best projects with additional 200 surveillance cameras, public addressal system, panic button and emergency call box.
However, due to non-feasible demand from bidders, the project did not take off, said HDSCL special officer SH Naregal.
The project was to be executed on a public private partnership and Build–Own–Operate–Transfer (BOOT) model, but the bidders placed some demands that were unacceptable to HDSCL, he said.
HDSCL deputy general manager Channabasavaraj told TOI that concessionaire for implementation of the project did not work out, the bidders asked HDMC to not levy road cutting charges for laying cables. “They also wanted advertisement revenue and other things which were not acceptable for us. Three companies came forward but nothing worked out,” he added.
HDSCL intended to appoint a concessionaire for implementing intelligent poles in Hubballi-Dharwad for a specified Period i.e. implementation period of 12 months, operation and maintenance period of 14 years (after going live) comprising a total of 15 years, but the bidders wanted maintenance period for 30 years, he said.
The smart components in the project include smart LEDs, public wi-fi, digital bill boards, environmental sensors, panic button, emergency call box, public addressal system, integration with command and control centre, he added.
When asked if HDSCL has dropped the smart poles project, Channabasavaraj said the company is ready to implement if they find suitable bidders.