Belagavi City continues to make its mark in urban innovation, earning the distinction of hosting a prestigious delegation under the CITIIS 2.0 (City Investments to Innovate, Integrate, and Sustain) Challenge. This initiative, led by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), recognized Belagavi as one of 18 finalists selected from 84 eligible cities across the country, competing from a pool of 100 applicants.
The visit marks a significant milestone in the rollout of the ambitious VIISWAS Project (Vision to Implement Integrated Solid Waste Management and Sustainability). This project is a collaborative effort involving Belagavi Smart City Limited (BSCL), the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA), MoHUA, the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), and key international partners—Agence Française de Développement (AFD), Germany’s KfW Development Bank, and the European Union. The partnership reflects a strong commitment to advancing sustainable waste management through innovative infrastructure and global cooperation.
The delegation’s visit began Thursday morning with a comprehensive tour of the city’s key solid waste management sites. These included the Vehicle Service Center and Dry Waste Collection Centre (DWCC) at Sadashiv Nagar, the Turmuri SWM Waste Processing Unit, the Wet Waste Biogas Plant at the old residential shelter in Khasbag (run by NULM), and the Secondary Transfer Station cum DWCC. The team also visited the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) at Visvesvaraya Nagar, which serves as the city’s smart governance hub.
Dignitaries present included Mayor Shri Mangesh Pawar, Deputy Mayor Smt. Vani Vilas Joshi, City Corporation Commissioner Smt. Shubha B, and BSCL Managing Director Smt. Syeda Afreen Banu S. Bellary. Their presence highlighted the local administration’s strong commitment to sustainability and innovation in urban governance.
Later in the evening, a working session was held from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the ICCC Board Room. The meeting focused on refining action plans and timelines to enhance the project’s impact. The session saw active participation from the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, who reiterated the city’s vision to integrate cutting-edge technology with community-focused development.
.