HUBBALLI: Taking advantage of the lockdown, Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Ltd (HDSCL) has completed 80% of open drainage construction works and cross drainage works.
HDSCL special officer Shivanand Naregal said the works were taken up while following all Covid-19 guidelines.
“In normal days it was very difficult to dig and widen drains.
These works were done without any hurdles during the lockdown,” he said.
In the absence of traffic movement and pedestrians, the works took place speedily.
During daytime centring, bar bending and other works were done and in the evening concreting and other works were done.
Now most of the works are nearing completion and installing streetlights and other works remain, he added.
Under the Smart City project, HDSCL is implementing 36 projects worth Rs 695 crore.
Of them some are road development works.
These projects are being undertaken on Station Road, CBT, Dajiban Peth, JC Nagar, Durgad Bail, Maratha Galli, Ganesh Peth, Anchatrgeri Oni, Belgaonkar Galli, Tulajabhavani Circle and other commercial areas.
The lockdown helped HDSCL to get work done within the stipulated time.
While only 50% labourers were allowed to work due to Covid guidelines, some workers got infected.
Many skilled workers from Odisha, West Bengal and other states got scared about getting proper treatment and went back to their home states.
In absence of skilled labourers, works at Nehru Stadium, Janata Bazar and MG Park were hampered.
Naregal said that despite contractors trying to convince the labourers, some of them went back home, delaying the work.
“The contractors have been told to finish the works as early as possible,” he added.
Ideal opportunity Amogh Pujar, a social worker and admin of the Facebook page Pot Holes Hubli, said at many areas Smart City works were being done quickly.
“HDSCL can get the works completed at the same speed as there are still restrictions after 2pm.
Using the opportunity, HDSCL should take up focused work and ensure to complete the Smart roads work before the deadline,” he added.