KALABURAGI, 13 MARCH

The Commissioner of the Kalaburagi Municipal Corporation and a contractor have faced reprimand from the court due to the slow progress of a construction project involving a 400-metre road and an underground drainage system near Lalgeri Cross.

The project has been stalled for four months, and safety measures were not being enforced. Concerned about public safety, lawyer and social worker Vaijanath Zalaki submitted a complaint to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) on 11 March, highlighting the impending Mahadasoha Sharana Basaveshwara Jatra Mahotsava, which would attract thousands of devotees and pose risks due to incomplete work.

Judge Srinivas Navale promptly accepted Zalaki's petition and summoned the municipal officials to court for a hearing on 12 March. The judge personally visited the construction site to inspect the situation before the hearing.

During the court session, both the municipal commissioner and contractor were held accountable for the delays. They assured the court that the project would be completed within four days, by 16 March, submitting a written undertaking. In response to the court's notice, 100 workers were deployed to expedite progress.

This development marks a significant moment for Kalaburagi, showcasing the power of legal action in addressing public concerns.