Encroachment clearance drive in Dharwad, Hubballi to resume soon

Senior government official Manivannan will supervise the campaign in Dharwad and Hubballi

If everything goes according to plan, Dinesh Gundurao, minister in-charge of Dharwad, should get illegal encroachments on government land in the twin cities of Dharwad and Hubballi cleared within a month.

According to the minister, nearly 1,800 acres of government land have been encroached upon in Dharwad. The government has managed to retrieve 600 acres of this and the rest are waiting to be cleared.

The government plans to give some concession where the encroachment of forest land is less than five acres. The encroachment will be cleared based on the extent of violation of rules.

Rao, who was in the city on Friday to participate in several programmes, held a meeting with the district-level officials of various departments. IAS officer P Manivannan who had led the encroachment clearance drive in 2005-2006 has been summoned to supervise the encroachment clearance drive again and has been put in-charge of the district to monitor the implementation of drinking water supply projects and other development works, too. Manivannan was also present in the meeting held by the minister at the deputy commissioner’s office.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Rao said the encroachment clearance drive will be taken up in a phased manner in the twin cities. He directed the officials to submit a report of the survey of encroachment of government land in the district before February 20. He has also instructed them to list out encroachment on roads and parking places in the cities in detail.

“Stern action will be taken after getting the report against the violators irrespective of their status,” he said. Steps will be taken to facilitate easy and hassle-free movement of traffic, widening of roads, forming prominent circles, laying more traffic signals and medians among others, will be done to improve the traffic. The police department has sought time up to March 30, to identify places where traffic snarls occur,” he said.

The district administration will spend Rs 5 crore specially for improvement of traffic in the cities under Nagarothhan project, Rao informed.

The Hubli-Dharwad Development Authority has been directed to submit a report pertaining to Comprehensive Development Plan in these cities. The HUDA Commissioner will submit his observations before March 30. The action plan will be finalised at a meeting of the departments concerned and organisations after receiving the report, he said.

Rao also said he had directed Zilla Panchayat officials to prepare an action plan related to drinking water supply to rural areas.

“The multi-village water supply scheme taken up at Kundagol is in final stage. After testing the quality of water, the scheme will be utilised properly,” he said.