The Principal District and Sessions Court of Belagavi has ordered the Belagavi city Corporation to pay ₹70 lakh to the contractor who built the shop complex on Sai Mandir Road in Tilakwadi. This verdict has added another financial burden to the already struggling municipal administration.
The shops were constructed 12 years ago, yet the contractor had not received full payment for the work. After years of unsuccessful attempts to recover the pending dues from the corporation, the contractor took legal recourse and filed a petition in the Chief District and Sessions Court. The court has now ruled in favor of the contractor, directing the BMC to clear the outstanding amount.
The issue dates back to 2011, when Belagavi hosted the World Kannada Conference. Ahead of the event, several shops were demolished, leading to protests from affected traders. A public meeting was held at Kala Mandir, where MLA Abhay Patil assured the shop owners that new shops would be built to rehabilitate them.
As per this commitment, a commercial complex was constructed on Sai Mandir Road, with 50% of the funding coming from the MLA fund and the remaining 50% to be borne by the municipal corporation. However, while the shops were built, the allocation of the premises to traders became a controversial issue. Over the years, some shops were allotted through, but many remained unoccupied, and the matter faded from public attention.
Despite completing the project, the contractor faced repeated delays in receiving full payment. After several futile attempts to obtain the outstanding amount from the municipal authorities, the contractor finally approached the court. The legal battle has now concluded in his favor, leaving the BMC with the responsibility of paying ₹70 lakh.
With the corporation already grappling with financial difficulties, this court order further worsens its economic strain. The big question now is how the municipal body will arrange for these funds and whether it will affect other development projects in the city.