Urban Development Minister, Byrati Basavaraj stated that the Karnataka Government wrote a letter to the Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs pestering it to add four more cities in the Smart City project. Basavraj, addressed the media persons on Sunday, mentioning about how Karnataka government has given the recommendation of Ballari, Vijaypura, Kalburgi and Mysuru for the Union government flagship programme of Smart City.
Though, the minister accepted that progress of the seven cities under the Smart City project was not satisfactory, he told that he would not debate over the reasons of delay for completion of projects and would ensure earliest completion of the pending projects.
The minister stated that there was no lack of funds for the development projects. They have received sufficient funds from the Union Government. The central government has given Rs 500 crore for Smart City project this year.The slow progress was blamed on Covid – 19 and heavy rains regarding the development projects.
