Belagavi District Health Officer filed a complaint against the Managing Director of Smart City in Tilakwadi Police Station, against the illegal work being carried out at the vaccine depot Belagavi, where permission from the District Health Department is required. Despite this, development work was attempted without their consent, resulting in the cutting down of trees on the premises.
The District Health and Family Welfare Officer, Dr. Mahesh Koni, has taken action against ongoing work at the vaccine depot premises, lodging a complaint with the Tilakwadi Police. The police registered a case against the Managing Director of Belagavi Smart City Ltd. and others under IPC section 420 fraud and other sections on Monday (19th).
Belagavi Smart City has undertaken work at the Vaccine Depot site in Belagavi, but when contacted for information, the Managing Director failed to provide any details. The Principal Secretary to Govt., Health Department has also requested information about the ongoing work, but no response has been received.
Vandalism has occurred on the vaccine depot premises without permission, resulting in the destruction of soil and trees. Dr. Koni has called for legal action against those responsible, and the police have registered a crime accordingly.
The Smart City project has been shrouded in secrecy, with even the forest department failing to provide any information about the work. The health department is also in the dark about the nature of the work, including e-tendering. This lack of transparency is alarming, and it is imperative that the ongoing work be halted immediately to prevent any harm to the vaccine depot, it was said.
It is concerning that the Smart City authorities attempted to develop the vaccine depot without proper permission or a work plan. It appears that political pressure was the driving force behind this decision.
However, Guardian Minister Satish Jarkiholi has taken a serious stance on the matter and has ordered an inquiry into the situation.
Environmentalists had also raised concerns about the project, particularly regarding the cutting down of trees in the vaccine depot and had approached the Supreme court. Despite assurances from Smart City officials that over 90,000 trees would be planted and no trees would be damaged, many trees were indeed cut down. This has led to complaints from environmentalists, prompting an investigation by the Guardian Minister and a complaint filed with the Tilakwadi Police Station.