The ambitious ₹135-crore CITIIS 2.0 project sanctioned for Belagavi city is facing major uncertainty due to delays in the tender process. Officials fear that if the contractor is not finalised by December, the sanctioned funds may be diverted to another municipal corporation.
According to sources in the Belagavi Smart City Lts. the tender to prepare the work plan for the scheme has run into procedural and legal hurdles. Initially, only one company’s bid was deemed valid, but it was later cancelled by the department citing technical discrepancies. The foreign firm subsequently filed a case in court, resulting in a stay order that has stalled the entire tender process.
Efforts are reportedly underway to have the stay lifted, but progress has been slow. Shubha B., Managing Director of the Smart City, has been trying to resolve the issue, though a breakthrough has yet to be achieved. Meanwhile, local representatives from Belagavi have not been fully briefed about the setback, limiting coordinated efforts to safeguard the project.
Belagavi had been selected under the Smart City Mission’s first phase in 2016 and later became one of 18 winners of the CITIIS 2.0 challenge in 2024, following its proposal submission in 2023. The city’s project, titled “VIISWAS” (Vision to Implement Integrated Solid Waste Management and Sustainability), aims to revolutionize waste collection, processing, and sustainability practices across Belagavi.
A central team has already visited the city twice to review preparatory work, but no further progress can take place until the tender issue is resolved. Unless the deadlock is broken soon, Belagavi risks losing this crucial ₹135-crore funding meant to transform its solid waste management system.