HUBLI: It is not possible to include Hubli-Dharwad under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) now, said Union Minister of State for Planning M.V. Rajasekharan at a press conference here on Tuesday.

He said Hubli-Dharwad would be included under a forthcoming project, through which the Union Government planned to develop small and medium towns and cities across the country.

He cited various factors that became a hurdle in the inclusion of Hubli-Dharwad under the JNNURM. He would make all efforts to get funds for the development of the twin cities under the new project, he said.

Aims

According to him, the new project aimed at improving urban facilities, had already got approval from the Planning Commission.

The project is meant for development of roads and slums, urban sanitation, solid waste management and other infrastructure needs. The Minister maintained that within three months the new project would be in place, and Hubli-Dharwad would be given top priority while selecting cities under the project.

He said no political party or leader is responsible for Hubli-Dharwad not being selected under JNNURM. "Nobody should indulge in politics in this regard. If any party is trying to politicise the issue it is not correct", he stated. Mr. Rajasekharan hinted that there was a possibility of the twin cities being included under the JNNURM along with other cities owing to pressure from elected representatives from states concerned. However he was not sure about the time required for it.

Decision

The Minister also said the stand taken by the Goa Government regarding the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project was not right. He said he would meet Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz along with other MPs from the State to prevail upon the Union Government to take a stand in favour of the State.

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