The foundation stone for the much-awaited III phase of Malaprabha project was laid on Saturday

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4822948.cms

HUBLI: The foundation stone for the much-awaited III phase of Malaprabha project was laid on Saturday. The project, taken up at a cost of Rs 152
crore, involves laying of parallel water line, improving the distribution network designed to double up the availability of water from 16 million gallon litres of water a day (MLD) to 32 MLD.

Assembly Speaker Jagadeesh Shettar launched the works at a ceremony on Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation premises here. Under the project, the water will be drawn from Malaprabha river by laying 1,168-mm pipeline for a 30-km stretch from Savadatti to Amminabhavi. The project also involves a 68 MLD treatment plant at Amminabhavi.

Shettar said the work, once completed within a year, will give a new direction to the development of the twin-cities. Residents can hope to get water once in at least two days from the existing once in four to five days.

He said Hubli-Dharwad was known for negative aspects like water crisis, chocked drains and bad roads all these days. But now, with a lot of funds flowing in from different quarters, the cities are set for an image makeover, he said.

Stating that HDMC stands first in the state in utilizing Rs 100-crore special grant given to corporations, he thanked corporators and other people's representatives for staying united for development.

He claimed the legislators of the twin-cities are making efforts to make Hubli-Dharwad an ideal place to live. "Public works minister C M Udasi has promised to get the cabinet approval for the four-lane road between Hubli and Dharwad cities. Sports minister Gulihatti Chandrashekar has announced Rs 50 lakh for the upgradation of Nehru Grounds in Hubli," he claimed.

Land for bypass road

MP Prahlad Joshi announced that the railway ministry has given approval for the construction of railway underpass on Hubli-Gadag state highway. The railways will sanction Rs 4.5 crore for the purpose while the remaining cost will be borne by the state government.

District minister Murugesh asked the corporators to bring to the notice of the concerned authority about substandard works.

The foundation stone for the renovated HDMC-run Chitaguppi Hospital was also laid on the occasion. Mayor Veeranna Savadi said the maternity hospital will be a 100-bed hospital with four wards, two labour rooms, OPD and other facilities.