Shahapur Road Compensation Dispute Reaches High Court

19 Dec 2025 CW Team

The High Court has directed that compensation of Rs 21.8 million be paid to the Gargatti family, whose land was used for construction of the road. However, the Smart City Department has stated that it does not have the funds to settle the compensation amount.

Complicating matters further, although a decision to transfer the road to the Belagavi City Corporation was reportedly taken at a meeting of the Smart City Mission’s Administrative Board, the proposal is still pending approval from the state government. As a result, the road has not been formally handed over to the City Corporation.

With punitive action initiated against the Managing Director of the Smart City Department, the central issue remains unresolved: which authority is responsible for paying the Rs 21.8 million compensation. Earlier, when a proposal to pay compensation of Rs 200 million for the same road was discussed, it triggered intense debate in the City Corporation’s general body meeting. At the time, the Corporation held the Smart City Department accountable, while the then Smart City Managing Director stated that the road had been constructed only after obtaining a no-objection certificate from the Corporation and that compensation did not fall within the department’s jurisdiction.

At present, the City Corporation is being informed that it may have to bear the compensation liability of Rs 21.8 million. While most roads developed under the Smart City Mission have already been transferred to the City Corporation, the proposal to transfer this particular road in Shahapur is still awaiting government clearance. Further action will now depend on directions issued by the state government.

Meanwhile, the current Smart City Managing Director, Kavita Warangal, is expected to appear before the court and submit all relevant details related to the road. With the Smart City Department reiterating that it will not pay the compensation, the responsibility appears to be shifting towards the city administration, setting the stage for the next phase of accountability.

The ownership and compensation liability of the road in front of Shiv Srushti in Shahapur has come under renewed scrutiny after the Dharwad Bench of the High Court imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 and issued a bailable warrant in the case. The High Court has directed that compensation of Rs 21.8 million be paid to the Gargatti family, whose land was used for construction of the road. However, the Smart City Department has stated that it does not have the funds to settle the compensation amount. Complicating matters further, although a decision to transfer the road to the Belagavi City Corporation was reportedly taken at a meeting of the Smart City Mission’s Administrative Board, the proposal is still pending approval from the state government. As a result, the road has not been formally handed over to the City Corporation. With punitive action initiated against the Managing Director of the Smart City Department, the central issue remains unresolved: which authority is responsible for paying the Rs 21.8 million compensation. Earlier, when a proposal to pay compensation of Rs 200 million for the same road was discussed, it triggered intense debate in the City Corporation’s general body meeting. At the time, the Corporation held the Smart City Department accountable, while the then Smart City Managing Director stated that the road had been constructed only after obtaining a no-objection certificate from the Corporation and that compensation did not fall within the department’s jurisdiction. At present, the City Corporation is being informed that it may have to bear the compensation liability of Rs 21.8 million. While most roads developed under the Smart City Mission have already been transferred to the City Corporation, the proposal to transfer this particular road in Shahapur is still awaiting government clearance. Further action will now depend on directions issued by the state government. Meanwhile, the current Smart City Managing Director, Kavita Warangal, is expected to appear before the court and submit all relevant details related to the road. With the Smart City Department reiterating that it will not pay the compensation, the responsibility appears to be shifting towards the city administration, setting the stage for the next phase of accountability.

Infrastructure Energy

20 Jan 2026

ABB modernises BPCL’s Vadinar–Bina pipeline

ABB India has completed a critical modernisation programme for Bharat Petroleum Corporation’s (BPCL) Vadinar–Bina Pipeline (VBPL), upgrading automation, monitoring and cyber security systems without any operational shutdowns. Spanning 935 km, the cross-country pipeline supplies 7.80 million metric tonnes per annum to BPCL’s Bina refinery and plays a vital role in India’s energy security amid rising demand.The project involved a full upgrade to the ABB Ability™ SCADAvantage system, replacement of 35 Remote Terminal Units across pumping, pigging and sectionalising valve stations, and t..

Infrastructure Transport

20 Jan 2026

Cochin Shipyard Delivers First HS EcoFreighter Vessel

Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has delivered MS Heinz, the first vessel in the HS EcoFreighter series of multi-purpose vessels, to HS Schiffahrts UG & Co, Germany. The Delivery and Acceptance Protocol was signed through a virtual ceremony by CSL Director (Operations) S Harikrishnan and HS Schiffahrts Director Heinz Josef Schepers, in the presence of senior officials.Designed by Groot Ship Design, the 7,000 DWT vessel has been constructed at CSL in compliance with the classification rules of Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The ice-class vessel is capable of carrying a wide range of cargoes, including ..

Infrastructure Transport

20 Jan 2026

Indian Army Builds Third Bailey Bridge in Sri Lanka

The Indian Army’s Engineer Task Force has recently completed construction of the third Bailey Bridge, spanning 120 feet, at KM 15 on Sri Lanka’s B-492 Highway in the Central Province. The bridge reconnects the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, restoring a vital transport link that had remained disrupted for more than a month after Cyclone Ditwah.This milestone follows the successful commissioning of two earlier Bailey bridges in the Jaffna and Kandy regions. Together, these engineering interventions have reinstated road connectivity, improved access to essential services, and supported com..