Disclaimer: Though every effort is made to ensure the appropriateness of the movies information, we suggest that you check with the theatre for the exact timings. As the screening of movies and their timings are subject to change.
The TOI recently has quoted City police commissioner BN Lokesh Kumar said addressing the parking issue was not the job of the police but the Belagavi City Corporation.
Since a week now the Traffic police and the TWO towing vans in town are on a rampage of sorts towing away vehicles parked in No Parking zones.
But the citizens at large are asking the same question? Where do we park?
The police have enlisted 21 roads on which no parking has been mentioned which encompass the entire city of sorts, So where does one park?
The police say it is the job of the City corporation to provide Parking and we better not speak about the corporation here.
They could not get the multi parking built for the last decade. One more parking at Shaniwar Khoot is lying unutilized for reasons only known to them.
The police also have unilaterally taken a decision to mark some roads as no parking zones without even taking the residents, shop owners into confidence.
On some roads there is no Parking at all, then how does one reach there and work there or run his/her shop.
Now, this is a Catch-22 situation. Until the Corporation makes more parking spaces, there will be no space to park your vehicles.
Satish Gharge a businessman says Appropriate parking facility has to be provided by the corporation. The citizens have paid road tax at the time of purchase of vehicles. Public parking place Is basic need, hence providing basic amenities is the onus of officials before imposing the law.
Madhav Gurunath Vaze aged 71, an inmate of Shantai Vrudhashram Belagavi is busy making Ganesh Idols for the Ganesh Festival. This is his second year of making Ganesh Idols at the Ashram.
This year he has made 40 Ganesh Idols.
Vaze joined the Ashram in 2015 and now he is completely engrossed in his passion for making Ganesh Idols. He starts his work as soon as he gets up in the morning and keeps himself busy making the idols of the Ganesha from clay, that too without using any molds. Apart from being eco-friendly as they are made from clay all are very lightweight as all are hollow idols.
Speaking to AAB, Vaze said he used to work as a spray painter in a garage in Vasco Goa and then joined the Ashram as there is no one to look after him. He is unmarried and originally hails from Sirsi.
He said he used to help his father to make Ganesh Idols when he was about 12 years old and since then he always loved to make them, but with his work, he never got time to do it. But now in the ashram, he was encouraged to develop this art and with a first two sort of failed attempts he now makes beautiful idols out of clay.
And to his surprise directors of the Ashram have already booked his idols to be taken to their home for the festival, for which he is very elated.
He used to make a lot of idols when he was a kid along with his father in Bhatkal, Manipal and Dharmasthal.
In his twilight years, he is keeping his life living with his wonderful work and setting an example to others that art is in each one and age is no bar to practice it.
Practical approach to learning should be encouraged said Dr.Anand Deshpande, Registrar, VTU
The Inauguration ceremony of the 42nd Series of KSCST Seminar and exhibition of student’s projects took place on 26th July 2019 in the Saptarishi Hall of, KLE Dr.M.S. Sheshgiri College of Engineering and Technology, Belagavi.
Principal, Dr. Basavaraj Katageri said that the institute and KLE management has always been instrumental in promoting practical learning platforms for students of the institute.
Mr.H.Hemanth Kumar, Executive Secretary, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology in his opening remarks briefed about the motto and objectives of the program. He spoke on the need for developing sustainable technology for rural development and said that 3600 project proposals from 160 colleges were sorted to select the final 415 projects for display and presentation in the exhibition for the next two days.
Dr. Anand Deshpande, Registrar, VTU was present as the Chief Guest for the function. Addressing the gathering he said that technology and education should go hand in hand. He said that the generation today is more curious to understand and analyze the trending needs of the future. Project based learning approaches inculcates Critical Thinking, Communication skills and the ability to pool resources for the success of the group. Further he said that the best solutions come from rejected ideas and connecting technology to the needs of people, helps find real time solutions.
Dr. H. Honne Gowda, Managing Director, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society, Special Director (technical) Dept. of Science and Technology, Government of Karnataka was the Guest of Honor. He spoke about the technological and Industrial revolutions and their contribution to mankind. He advised the technical colleges to promote Interdisciplinary projects to ensure learning provides sustainable solutions to real time problems.
Prof. S. Subramanian, Secretary, Karnataka State Council for Science and Technology spoke about the need for innovation in everything we do. Further, He said that Globalization and internet revolution has changed the world drastically leading to Entrepreneurship opportunities; this can be a great gift to the new generation to connect with like minds and start a venture that contributes to nation building.
Shri. S.C. Metgud, Chairman, Governing Council, KLE Dr.MSSCET, Belagavi was the president of the function. He applauded the efforts taken by the organizing committee for conduct of an event of this large magnitude. He urged the students to take maximum benefit of the event and wished them happy learning.
Principals of various engineering colleges, Deans, HOD’s, Staff, Students, Mentors and Participants were present in large numbers.
This August 15, the KSRTC will launch special air-conditioned Volvo bus services to Mysuru Airport — Airport Shuttle Service — from the City Bus Stand.
Mysuru currently has around 8 flights a day to 5 destinations and same is the case with Belagavi as well, Bengaluru (4), Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, and Pune.
Belagavi also has flights to 5 destinations and 8 flights day barring Tuesday.
Now the AAI and the NWKRTC must think of starting shuttle bus services to Airport from the city.
The KSRTC has acted proactively and is commencing the service there but what about NWKRTC, even after demands have been made in this regards the NWKRTC is still mum and has not envisaged any plans it feels like.
In 2017 the NWKRTC had commenced such a service in 2017 but had to shut operations with no takers and also reduced flights.
The bus service should be timed to coincide with the arrivals and departures. While the bus service to passengers leaving Belagavi will have to reach the Airport one hour early to facilitate smooth boarding, buses can pick up passengers as soon as they arrive at the IXG Airport.
In order to increase competition and bring down transport prices, Airports Authority of India is likely to operationalize a rent-a-cab counter at Goa International Airport next month. Belagavi airport must also provide such facilities. The moves are part of an effort by AAI to provide air passengers with cheaper and multiple options for transport once they exit the airport.
It would be very beneficial for the travelers if they can get cheaper options to reach the airport as of now it would roughly cost Rs.500+ for a taxi for a drop to the airport.
There is another line of thought which says when the travelers spent so much to travel by Air why can’t he or shell out for a taxi or an Auto. But when you want the aam Nagrik to fly arrangements for him are important.
We do have the OLA service but it is very limited and as there are bus services in Bengaluru, we should also have one which will help more Aam Nagrik to take their UDAN.
Wrestler seeks crowdfunding to make it to Competition in Korea
Atul S. Shirole hails from Muchandi village and is an avid wrestler who and now has been selected Korean Wrestling Championship 2019 which will be held from 2-7 September 2019.
He has been selected for the 86 kg freestyle Category in the Indian team. A victory in Korea will mean his selection for Asian Games.
He has previously won a bronze medal in world wrestling championship held at GEORGIA (Russia) 2016.
Participated in 5th indoor ASIAN Games held at Turkmenistan(Europe)2017 (5th Position)
He Won RCU inter Collegiate Wrestling Championship tournament 2017-2018
He won in Umbraj, Karad,(Maharashtra) Umeshwar Kesari Kitab 2019 5kg Silver Mace.
Hailing from a family of farmers with marginal land he is facing difficulty in raising the one lakh he needs to go for the tournament.
Last time in 2017 many philanthropists supported him and hence he was able to participate in ASIAN Games held at Turkmenistan.
Achievements:
International:
He has previously won a bronze medal in world wrestling championship held at GEORGIA (Russia) 2016.
Participated in 5th indoor ASIAN Games held at Turkmenistan(Europe)2017 (5th Position)
National Level
5th National Wrestling Championship 1st Place(Gold) 2016 held at Balewadi, Pune
4th National Wrestling Championship 1st Place(Gold) 2015 held at Ahamadnagar ( Shirdi
State Level
State Leval Rural Competition – 1st place(Gold)2013 held at Davangere
State Leval Rural Competition – 1st place(Gold)2014 held at Dharwad
University Level
University Blue Wrestling Championship –held at Bilagi(Baglkot)
The development of the Mahatma Phule park, Budhwar Peth under the Belagavi Smart city project was commenced today MLA, Shri Abhay Patil in the presence of Smt Rukhaiya Hadalge, Assistant Executive Engineer, other staff of Belagavi smart city limited.
The Cost of the project is Rs 2.85 crores and it is split into two parts-
1. Animal park worth Rs 1.6 Crore
2. Park for special children-Rs 1.25 Crore
This park is going to be a unique park with a special section dedicated only for mentally challenged children.
Helping them in improving their skills by color therapy, touch therapy, and vocational training.
It consists of a hall with all the equipment required for mentally challenged children.
Also, the existing animal park which has faces of animals will be restored and a few more animals would be added.
The Tortoise structure will also be renovated and with the other animal’s structures.
Other amenities will include a pathway, sandpit, gazebos, rainwater harvesting structure, toilets and all other facilities like light fixtures, etc
It will be one of a kind park in the entire nation. The first park in India to have facilities for Mentally challenged children.
Also, another 3 more parks would be developed in South Belagavi.
Minister of State for Railways Suresh Angadi told reporters here on Saturday that the possibility of running a high-speed train such as bullet train linking the three cities, Belagavi-Dharwad-Hubballi was being explored.
He was speaking at the Board meeting of the Belagavi Cantonment. The minister said that still, the viability will have to be studied and if viable the travel time between the two cities could be brought down to 45 mins.
The project would be taken up shortly and then a detailed report would be studied, he added.
The minister also directed the officials to coordinate & cooperate with the State Govt for the execution of developmental works under the Smart City project in Belagavi City.
Unusual markings started to appear on trees at the GSS and RPD college campus, this fall courtesy of Trees of GSS Directory of Tree species at GSS College, Belagavi.
People while walking in the avenue, gardens, parks, see the beauty of nature, the trees, plants, animals, flower, fruits, etc. and wonder what to call them? Although many trees and plants are noticed daily they cannot identify them.
So there has to be an easy way of identifying them. Here comes the role of modern technology ie Computer. Computers are used everywhere for various purposes like shopping, economic, business, social network etc.
So why not use the technology for nature lovers, so the group thought of tagging the trees with QR codes. So when one scans the code tagged on the tree we get its full information like common name, vernacular names, scientific name, its description, its significance on the website. So it’s like you ask the tree and it tells about itself. This project can help students, teachers, visitors, the public, who walk in the beautiful campus of G.S.S college.
The main aim of the project is to design and implement a user-friendly Tree identification online repository for GSS College campus using Free and Open Source technology.
A detailed assessment of all tree species in the GSS College campus was undertaken at the beginning of the project by surveying the campus. The trees are distributed across the 34-acre area. Campus was divided into small regions for efficient documentation process.
These trees around campus are something that students see every day, but few know anything about. With these QR codes, it will be easy for them to know its name and other details.
On July 30, 2019, at 5 am in the morning the Rakaskop reservoir overflowed.
The steady inflow of water into the Rakaskop reservoir has now raised the water level. In 2019 it has overflown on July 30, 14 days later than on 2018. In 2018 it had overflown on July 16 In 2017 it had overflown in September In 2016 it had overflown on August 7 In 2015 it had overflown on August 4
In 2014 it had overflown on July 30
In 2013 it had overflown on July 22
In 2012 the reservoir was full on August 6
In 2011 the reservoir was full on July 18
In 2010 the reservoir was full on 4 August
File Photo
18 Kms from Belagavi, literally meaning a hamlet of a Rakkasa (Giant), who is stated to have lived on a hillock near the village. A cavern in laterite on the hillock resembling a huge seated human figure is shown by the people to remind his past existence. Here is a Dam across the river Markandeya, supplying drinking water to Belagavi. The construction of the dam was started in 1960 and completed in 1962.
The British established three extensive ‘Vaccine Institutes’ in the country – in Kasauli, Bareilly and in Belagavi. Belagavi’s ‘Vaccine Depot’, established in 1904 by Capt. F.H.G. Hutchinson began contributing freeze-dried anti-smallpox vaccine almost from its inception, building up to 47 million doses in 1977.
The Vaccine Depot in Belagavi is among the few spaces left with natural vegetation; a wonderful ecosystem with life and vigor of its own, thanks to the fact that we have managed to keep it thus. A few years ago it hit the headlines when there was a proposal to set up the Legislative Assembly building at the site in 2007, an attempt that we Belgaumites managed to successfully quell.
The site is in the news again with a proposal to develop a park of sorts with expansive and expensive landscaping to be undertaken as per the plan released by Shri Abhay Patil. While the proposal might seem to be an interesting inclusion in the Smart City program, it is far from what many desire. Thankfully, the authorities still mention it as a proposal and not a plan that’s going to be implemented.
One ingenious plan envisaged the location of the ‘Suvarna Soudha’ within the precincts of the existing Vaccine Depot with a compound wall measuring 3.396 kilometres all around it. Wisdom finally prevailed and the State Government then proposed to utilize the entire land as a Botanical Garden and Heritage Park.
Despite this, on 3rd May 2011, BUDA proposed that 33 acres of this Vaccine Depot be acquired for construction of residential quarters for the Staff of the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences. Another 20 acres was to be “developed”!
The city survives because of four lungs – the Fort, the Vaccine Depot, the Camp area, and the Race Course. These four are the ‘oxygen factories’ in the city. Three of them survive because they are in Cantonment – and under the control of the Central Government.
Already work on the Heritage park is in progress and Wier construction has been completed. Other works for the heritage park were to start in some time which includes the Grameen Bharat sculpture court.
Now it is planned to have Landscaped and this is a plan and still unclear if any trees and the flora & fauna would be done away with. Landscaping does more harm to the ecosystem especially since it encourages monoculture and the introduction of non-native species just for their aesthetic appeal. These can never replace the existing functionality of the site. Mother Nature’s creations are always superior to human interventions.
The change would be devastating for the species of birds, animals, and insects that currently thrive there since they would have to relocate.
Photo taken inside Vaccine Depot
While we thank our elected representative for the consideration to beautify Belagavi, it would be wonderful if the said park could be developed on an alternative barren space rather than an existing lush green, native habitat. We could appreciate it if the authorities invest in keeping the area as clean, litter-free and intact as is necessary.
Comments on Facebook –
Mandar Kolhapure said Concept is good. The intention is also good. But let’s keep Vaccine depot as it is naturally. Let’s not disturb the ecosystem that has been built there for many years with so many rare species of birds, plants and flowers. Don’t want concretization everywhere, spare the vaccine depot. People who regularly visit may agree with this, others can label me anti-development. Vaccine Depot is not a place, it’s an emotion.
Manali Patki Godbole commented – Preserve the natural forest as it is…there are many more places which need development..this will become like the Congress well where no one visits. We at least have 1 piece of land to tell our kids what mini-forest looks like. Also, grass and shrubs cannot bring rain even if they look beautiful. Please preserve this piece of land as it is.
Birds in Vaccine Depot
Apoorva Chikkamath Glad to see few people interested in preserving the natural ecosystem of vaccine depot. Surprised to see few educated men praising the project just because it looks colorful in d map!! Nature has its own way to work. Whenever man has tried to encroach it and alter it, der has always been destruction and not development. We kindly request you respected Abhay Patil sir not to disturb the place and natural beauty of it.. we can further make it look beautiful by adding some native species or by even creating dense forest!!
Ketaki Bhagwat commented – Please leave the vaccine depot as it is.. we as belgaumites are very proud to have this piece of land which is habitat to 100years old trees with more than 100 varieties of birds nesting. We appreciate the idea of building a park.. please do it elsewhere away from the city premises. Vaccine depot is surrounded by residential area.. building a park will create nuisance and traffic, parking issues.. please reconsider your decision of demolishing something that is priceless and precious.
Vaccine Depot
Arun Prabhu – Cutting full-grown trees for planting more trees and lawn ? Something does not sound rite. Choose a different barren site to make this happen. I would choose what we have at vaccine depot over whatever is being designed here. Plus lawns need a lot of water and maintenance, it is most likely that within a year laws will be all dried up. “Grass is not always greener on the other side”.
Anil Gudi commented – But I wish it be done somewhere else and not in VACCINE DEPOT. My Frank view. Please do not fail the trees there. Let nature remain as is but maintain it well. There is a lot of open barren area around Belagavi. Make that a green area as is done in Raipur if I am not mistaken. Try and do something better at the DEAR PARK which is a must. A more priority on this day is storing, blocking as much water in lakes Rivers and raising the subsoil water which is required badly for HUMAN BEINGS, ANIMALS & the dream projects like these. Hence please please think it over and let’s act on it. I pray to you and God be this your dream project.I KNOW IT IS ONLY YOU WHO CAN TAKE IT FURTHER WITH NAMO and team. 50% of people in Belagavi are starving for even drinking water required to live. I am not an expert but if you wish I can surely meet you and discuss with you and share my views as much as I can.
Vaccine Depot. Photo Credits: Manish Khapare
Bhavana Kulkarni – Such places act like urban forests in the city, which help in controlling the environmental conditions. People these days are planting more trees and just keeping it natural to act as urban forests. We here are again adding man-made interventions and spoiling the natural habitat already existing there. In the name of development, such projects are a curse to nature. Without public participation, this project shouldn’t be taken forward. These 3d visuals looks like any other place in the world, losing all the originality and context of Vaccine Depot.
Avantika Desai – Belgaum has already lost an enormous amount of trees under the name of development!! And I am sure the residents of the city are already facing the effects of this. Don’t forget the summers of 2019. Destroying the natural landscape to create a man made one is not an approach! #savenature #savevaccinedepot
It is time to Vaccinate the Vaccine Depot against such considerations and to declare it as a Natural Heritage Site which will forever stay untouched.
‘Vaccine Depot’, to the people of Belagavi is the sacred ground, the ‘karma bhoomi’, where the battle, against smallpox, was fought.
Twenty years from now, the people of Belagavi will yearn for some space free of smoke, dust and concrete structures.
We wish to see our dynamic leader come forward and explain the entire plan and clear the doubts of the citizens, or else we will have collectively destroyed Vaccine Depot by then – by inaction, silence, fear?
Heavy Rains that have lashed the city has not only caused flooding in the low lying areas but has also entered homes, hospitals, shops and other places.
In one such incident, Deccan Medical Center near the Railway Overbridge had to bear the brunt of the heavy rains. According to the hospital authorities, due to heavy rains, on July 30, the water accumulated in the gutter flowing in front of Deccan Medical Centre rushed in the premises.
“The heavy flow of water from the drains gushed inside the pharmacy, physiotherapy, record room and accounts room wherein all the records of the patients like case papers, bills, files and other documents since from 2000 kept of the patients in the basement have been drained in the water and have spoilt totally,” administrator of the hospital Cyril Fernandes, said. The financial losses are yet to be ascertained, he said.
He said that the rainwater that comes from Nanawadi area, behind Arun Theater and also from camp, enters this locality. However, the absence of stormwater drains, the water enters the houses, etc in the locality
“We are now not in a position of giving the records and documents,” Fernandes said urging the authorities to initiate preventive measures for any such incident in future.
The farmers on the banks of the Bellary Nala in Belagavi feel it is a curse during the monsoon as the fields get flooded with water.
Heavy rains in the past 2-3 days have flooded Bellary Nala and submerged the fields flood water and slapping heavy losses for farmers.
This is not new for the farmers as each year for the past 6-7 years the fields on the banks of the Nala are flooded making the survival of the farmers difficult.
On numerous occasions, the farmers had demanded that the Nala be de-silted but as always no one wants to hear to what a farmer says and the result is heavy losses for the farmers.
This year as an addon, the making of the Hlaga Macche bypass has worsened the situation.
Farm fields on the banks of Old Belgaum, Halga, Vadgaon, Shahapur, Bastwad, Basavan-Kudachi and surrounding areas were getting flooded. But now the floods have encroached more than 1000 acres of agriculture land.
The 30 kms long nala which traverses thourgh the city is also dumped with waste and this is causing harm to the farmers as well. Many complain of skin diseases.
Vokate Life – Telugu
12.00 PM 3.00.PM 6 PM, 9.00.PM.
Disclaimer: Though every effort is made to ensure the appropriateness of the movies information, we suggest that you check with the theatre for the exact timings. As the screening of movies and their timings are subject to change.
Belgaum District Small Scale Industries Association (BDSSIA) & Global India Business Forum (GIBF) signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Hotel Native by Chancery.
Dr. Shri. Jitendra Joshi from Global India Business Forum (GIBF) briefed about the Global India Business Forum. Global India business forum is a Creating and building a World Business Community for the prosperity of businesses globally. To provide a common platform for businesses and entrepreneurs to share ideas & experiences for entrepreneurial development to fulfill this need and to bring together business professionals from various segments like Automobile, Engineering, FMCG, Chemical, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics, Heavy Metal, Service Industry etc, Global India Business Forum (GIBF) was created. GIBF will consist of members from all fields of business, industry, academics and other professions without any segment boundaries. GIBF has its head office in Delhi, Corporate Office in Pune, India and Global offices in Dubai, USA, UK, Singapore and China. It also has a presence at Mumbai, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata & Cuttack in India.
Memorandum of Understanding between Belgaum District Small Scale Industries Association (BDSSIA) & Global India Business Forum (GIBF) signed by Dr. Shri. Jitendra Joshi, Global President-GIBF & Shri. Rohan R Juvali, President, BDSSIA in presence of Deepali Gadkari Global Coordinator-GIBF & Shri. Shridhar K Uppin, Hon. Secretary-BDSSIA.
MOU –
To identify possible areas of trade promotion and investment that will help generate trade flows between the respective regions/support activities of the parties in line with their stated objectives.
To encourage collaboration in programs that may, from time to time, be arranged between the GIBF & BDSSIA, that support the development of standards and conformance systems that facilitate trade and commerce of mutual regions and interests.
To act as event promoters – organizers and to exchange information in order to develop trade and economic activities between the parties and their members-region – on issues of economic development including information on enterprises, foreign companies and firms as well as on other areas of mutual interest.
To organize, participate and exchange in the visits of inward – outward trade missions from the economic and trade circles and offer all the possible relevant services and support.
To organize joint events which focus on promotion of TRADE, SERVICES AND INVESTMENT in the region including, but not limited to, Trade Exhibitions, Buyer-Seller meets, Business Development meets, One-To-One meetings, Symposiums, Seminars, Workshops, Training Programs, Skill Certifications, Industrial Missions, Marketing Studies, Awards and Recognition Programs and knowledge – Technology Sharing Initiatives, etc. as may be mutually beneficial
To exchange relevant information about International trade fairs and exhibitions to be held in mutual regions and other locations so as to grant each other the widest cooperation and technical support within their possibilities – to encourage the participation of the respective enterprises, entities and members in the events of their interest, with preferential treatment / charges, as may be feasible and jointly decided.
To keep constant and close contacts and provide each other and their constituent members with information with regard to trade and economic co-operation, etc.
To facilitate exchange of publications, information and documentation, etc. on international programs organized by them, for exchange of professional expertise and other issues of reciprocal interest including bi-lateral trade, foreign trade and investment / regulatory policies of their respective regions and also endeavour to keep mutual literature in their respective libraries for use of trade and commerce.
The parties shall mutually endeavor to give publicity among its members about each other’s activities as also events conducted jointly through newsletters, magazines, emails and other promotional materials including third party initiatives like social and print media.
BDSSIA & GIBF Both the organizations are free to independently tie-up/sign MoUs / conduct any events /programs on their own or with other mutual partners, including those covered under this MoU
BDSSIA & GIBF Both organizations will assist each other in obtaining reliable and competitive offers of services and accommodation facilities to support mutual activities – joint programs
Suresh Angadi MoS Railways shared – One of my priority items is improving Safety at Level Crossings on Indian Railways. I directed Railway officials to take immediate action for widening LC Gates in and around Belagavi.
This instruction was in the backdrop of increasing road user traffic in Belagavi.
LC Gate No.382 (Tilakwadi Gate No.2) is one of the busiest LC’s on SWR with Train Vehicle Units of approx 2.5 Lakhs. As directed by me South Western Railway has improved the width of the road and also increased the length of lifting barrier at this LC gate for smooth movement of traffic.
Earlier the width of the road was 6.8 m and the length of gate boom barrier was 10.80 m. After making improvements and widening work, road width is now 10.0 m and the length of gate boom barrier is 12 m respectively. This is an important Road connecting to Panaji and due to this narrow LC earlier, it was a bottleneck for road and rail traffic movement.
To ensure safety, two Road humps/speed breakers of 125 mm were provided on both ends of the widened road for a width of 2 m. Existing signal/electrical posts shifted suitably, to accommodate widening. Check rail provided for 12.90 m length and Rail fencing is also provided at the approach road of LC. Due to continuous rain at Belgaum, painting of Rail barricade, road humps and Cat eye for better visibility and guidance to road users will be done subsequently.
Belagavi Public have welcomed this widening and positive feedback is being received from road users. Many perceive this widening, being second in the series within a month of widening of 4th LC gate, to be a big step towards smart City of Belagavi’s smooth traffic flow.
Construction of Road Over Bridge in lieu of this gate is a sanctioned work. Work is awarded by Railway and will begin once the site is made available by Civic Administration.
Like many citizens of Belagavi, I to have seen the new proposal for the ‘development’ of Vaccine Depot, and I am concerned.
I am concerned for the following reasons:
1) The legal reasons:
The entire acreage of Vaccine Depot is protected by a Karnataka State Government Order (No. AKUKA …) which protects this park as a Heritage Area and Botanical Park.
The new proposal, except for giving Sanskritized names for ultra-modern, high maintenance parks, does not fit within the four corners of the idea of a ‘heritage park’.
2) The ‘heritage reasons’
The heritage of Vaccine Depot stems from its contribution to one of the greatest battles ever fought by India – the battle against smallpox. It was here that the people of Belgaum – led by such scientists like Dr. Prasanna Kumar, worked day and night, in three shifts, to produce the vaccine that finally rid this country of the scourge that used to kill lakhs of Indians each year – many of whom were children. Death by smallpox was one of the most agonizing deaths imaginable.
The proposal finds no place for commemorating this heritage – so how will future Belgaumites remember the contribution these heroes made?
The Vaccine Depot was also home to Mahatma Gandhi during his momentous third visit to Belgaum when he steered our freedom struggle in a new direction from here in Belgaum – a direction that finally led us to freedom, in quicker time than otherwise.
The proposal finds no place for commemorating this moment in history when Belgaum was on everyone’s lips (like Jhansi, once) and where history was forged.
This is the heritage that should have been showcased here.
3) Economic reasons:
Beautifully landscaped gardens with immaculately manicured lawns and well-tended flower beds look very appealing on paper but are extremely expensive to maintain.
The cost of maintaining the tiny ‘Sharqut Park’ (opposite Kendriya Vidyalaya 2 School) has been revealed last year to be Rs. 40,000/- per month and the cost of maintaining the garden patches on both sides of Thimayya Road has been revealed to be over Rs. 12 lakhs annually. A small triangular garden patch inside the main gate of the Fort is costing the Cantonment Board over Rs. 20,000/- each month.
The Cantonment Board has advanced this reason as one of the reasons to raise taxes and lease rents (including charging Union Gymkhana almost Rs. 1 crore) to maintain such parks. Indeed, the Cantonment Board has given up on maintaining one of Belagavi’s most beautiful parks – Queen’s Garden, with its lovely Band Stand, for lack of funds. High maintenance parks are a permanent burden upon State revenues – and when the country has entered into a phase of long term budgetary deficits the burden of maintaining these parks will be shifted to the people who use these parks (as with the Fort lake) and then what might be the fee to enter the Vaccine Depot each morning even for a walk – Rs. 50/- ? or Rs. 100/- ?
Parks such as the park proposed in the Proposal employ an army of gardeners (like the Shalimar and other gardens in Srinagar) and gardeners today have to be paid at well above basic minimum wages.
Beautiful flowers and plants are also prone to theft (at least each morning, “for puja”) and so need to have full-time security staff.
There is the additional cost of manuring the lawn and the flower beds and the cost of pumping and spraying water each and every day.
Today, every proposal which intends to use precious public funds has to have its ‘Operation and Maintenance’ (O&M) models and its Recovery model vetted. There needs to be a thorough vetting by informed citizens of the O&M model behind this proposal so that the Karnataka State Government is not burdened with maintaining a ‘white elephant’.
Let us remember that the present Vaccine Depot costs very little to maintain.
If we properly conceptualize a forest park, with tree houses, aerial walkways, rope bridges, rope ladders, etc, along with heritage features, one could increase footfall in Vaccine Depot without increasing costs.
Just a few years ago, the City Corporation of Belagavi sought the services of India’s leading conservation and environment architects from the School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) in New Delhi (which is designated as the Centre for Excellence in Architecture), and a team of experts led by Prof. Rommel Mehta came to Belagavi, camped here for a few days and developed a plan for conservation of Vaccine Depot.
Various groups of stakeholders, especially the student fraternity, are baffled as to why this plan, which cost the Corporation as much as Rs. 25 lakhs has been shelved.
Any proposal for a “Green Belagavi” (as this proposal is titled) should not start by slaughtering trees in a Belagavi that has lost thousands of trees recently in ‘road widening’.
Any smartening up our city needs to be properly prioritized.
About the author:
Dr. Nitin G. Khot, an economist (from the London School of Economics) and Delhi School of Economics, an environmentalist and a social activist.
Good roads are a fundamental right of a citizen and the BBMP should provide compensation to citizens who suffer any loss or damage due to potholes and poor condition of roads in Bengaluru, the Karnataka High Court has ordered, reports the Deccan Chronicle.
The division bench, headed by Chief Justice A.S. Oka, was hearing a PIL related to the pothole menace in Bengaluru city.
The story further mentions – Putting the onus on the Palike for accidents caused due to such circumstances, the court said that if any citizen makes any representation claiming loss or damage, it shall consider and award reasonable compensation to the affected. It also made it clear that the Palike will award compensation after getting satisfied with such claims.
“After all, citizens are taxpayers and the life of taxpayers is not so cheap,” the court observed.
The court has asked the BBMP to make provision to report potholes and the same must be addressed immediately.
It is the duty of the Palike to make sure that the roads are well maintained and they are walkable and motorable, the court said, adding that that traffic police should bring potholes and bad condition of roads to the notice of the Palike.
So this also applies to the Belagavi City Corporation.
The current situation of roads in the city has gone pathetic. There is not one road which is easily motor-able. Some agency or the other have dug up trenches and have not filled it and day after day trucks, cars get stuck.
The pot holes are growing in merry after the rains and some are as deep as a foot like the one at Dharmveer Sambhaji Circle.
The police also have unilaterally taken a decision to mark some roads as no parking zones without even taking the residents, shop owners into confidence.
Dr. Anand Deshpande, Registrar, VTU was present as the Chief Guest for the function. Addressing the gathering he said that technology and education should go hand in hand. He said that the generation today is more curious to understand and analyze the trending needs of the future. Project based learning approaches inculcates Critical Thinking, Communication skills and the ability to pool resources for the success of the group. Further he said that the best solutions come from rejected ideas and connecting technology to the needs of people, helps find real time solutions.
Participated in 5th indoor ASIAN Games held at Turkmenistan(Europe)2017 (5th Position) 
The Tortoise structure will also be renovated and with the other animal’s structures. 
The main aim of the project is to design and implement a user-friendly Tree identification online repository for GSS College campus using Free and Open Source technology.
One ingenious plan envisaged the location of the ‘Suvarna Soudha’ within the precincts of the existing Vaccine Depot with a compound wall measuring 3.396 kilometres all around it. Wisdom finally prevailed and the State Government then proposed to utilize the entire land as a Botanical Garden and Heritage Park. 
Already work on the Heritage park is in progress and Wier construction has been completed. Other works for the heritage park were to start in some time which includes the Grameen Bharat sculpture court. 
He said that the rainwater that comes from Nanawadi area, behind Arun Theater and also from camp, enters this locality. However, the absence of stormwater drains, the water enters the houses, etc in the locality
This year as an addon, the making of the Hlaga Macche bypass has worsened the situation. 
To keep constant and close contacts and provide each other and their constituent members with information with regard to trade and economic co-operation, etc. 
2.5 Lakhs. As directed by me South Western Railway has improved the width of the road and also increased the length of lifting barrier at this LC gate for smooth movement of traffic.
It is the duty of the Palike to make sure that the roads are well maintained and they are walkable and motorable, the court said, adding that that traffic police should bring potholes and bad condition of roads to the notice of the Palike. 
