Belagavi Hosts High-Level Meet on Smart City Progress with French Experts*
Belagavi: A high-level meeting was held between a delegation of French experts and officials from Belagavi City to assess the technical progress and implementation of ongoing Smart City projects. The meeting took place at the Smart City office conference hall and was attended by Mayor Mangesh Pawar, Deputy Mayor Vani Vilas Joshi, Municipal Commissioner Shubha B, and Smart City Managing Director Afrin Banu Ballary.
Over the past decade, more than 100 projects have been implemented under the Smart City initiative in Belagavi. However, many of these projects are reportedly in poor condition due to a lack of funds for their operation and maintenance. According to officials, the City Corporation has struggled to maintain several assets handed over by the Smart City authorities, primarily because the state government has not allocated adequate O&M (Operation and Maintenance) funds.
During the meeting, Commissioner Shubha B. presented a detailed overview of key urban development initiatives such as road widening, stormwater drainage improvements, smart traffic signal systems, and drinking water supply upgrades. Mayor Mangesh Pawar emphasized the pivotal role the Smart City Mission has played in shaping Belagavi’s urban landscape, while Deputy Mayor Vani Vilas Joshi underlined the importance of people-centric urban planning.
Luke Leblanc, head of the French delegation, offered strategic insights on sustainable development suited to Belagavi’s geographical context. “Our focus is on eco-friendly, long-term solutions. Integrating these measures strategically will pave the way for effective and resilient urban growth,” he said.
The meeting concluded with a consensus to conduct regular progress reviews and launch public awareness initiatives to encourage greater community involvement. Following the meeting, the French delegation visited the Turmuri Solid Waste Management Plant to examine best practices in waste handling and operational efficiency.
