MP Jagadish Shettar on Friday accused the state government of crippling major development works in the Belagavi Lok Sabha constituency by delaying crucial grants and administrative approvals.
Addressing a press conference in Belagavi, Shettar said multiple flagship projects — including the Belagavi–Kittur–Dharwad railway line, CITIIS 2.0 solid waste management project, Amrutha 1.0 wastewater treatment plant at Halaga, and Amrutha 2.0 lake and park rejuvenation works — are moving at a snail’s pace solely due to the state’s failure to release funds on time.
He said that although the Central Government has already sanctioned ₹927 crore for the new railway line, the Dharwad KIADB has still not released ₹149.28 crore in compensation for 406.16 acres of acquired land—even after six years. “The delay is unacceptable and directly obstructing progress,” he said.
Shettar also pointed out that Belagavi, which was selected by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs for an advanced solid waste management project, lost a ₹135 crore grant due to “administrative lapses and lack of execution” by the state.
Similarly, compensation delays for an additional 19.09 acres at Halaga for a 70-lakh-litre wastewater treatment plant have left the project stalled. “Even for 1.12 acres of land, the required payments haven’t been cleared,” he noted.
The MP said he has written to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah demanding immediate release of dues to concerned departments and urgent administrative approval for the development of Sri Kshetra Yellammana Gudda. A letter to the Tourism Department Commissioner seeking approval also remains unanswered, he added. As a result, Shettar has escalated the matter to the Central Government, requesting intervention to ensure completion of these projects.
Shettar further alleged that “the state’s administrative machinery has collapsed,” claiming that governance, development, and even farmers’ issues are being neglected. He accused CM Siddaramaiah of “losing control over administration” and intentionally blocking funds meant for Belagavi.
Targeting the Congress leadership, Shettar said AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge appears “helpless” in resolving the ongoing turmoil within the state Congress. He went a step further, demanding President’s Rule if the situation is not resolved within three days.