ADB to assist infrastructure development

The state government will sign an MoU with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for implementing the third stage of infrastructure development plan in 25 towns of North Karnataka. The work on these plans will commence during October/November this year.

Director of municipal administration Nilay Mitash said that towns with populations of less than 50,000 will be covered under the scheme. Health and sanitation will be accorded top priority, he added.

The deputy commissioners of respective districts will monitor their implementation. A third party will also supervise the works.

Nilay said that several steps had been taken over the last two years to improve the functioning of local bodies in the state with more stress on human resource development.

Nilay Mitash said that a lack of technically-trained personnel was a hindrance to the effective implementation of various schemes.

To overcome the problem, technical experts were being appointed to the local bodies. The government had approved the proposal to appoint environment engineers, accounts officers and health inspectors.

Minister for municipal administration S R Morey said that Hubli-Dharwad will also benefit from the ADB-assisted schemes. Efforts will be made to attract investors to Hubli by providing the necessary infrastructure, he added. The investors' meet will be held at Hubli.