Elevator yet to be repaired in Mini Vidhana Soudha

HUBBALLI: Even though the elevator at the Mini Vidhana Soudha broke down seven months back, it has not been repaired or replaced so far. This has caused inconvenience to the physically-challenged and senior citizens who visit the office for various purposes. The elevator was built in 2009 at a cost of Rs 6 crore. The Mini Vidhana Soudha houses several government offices including the tahsildar’s office, sub tahsildar’s office, taluk panchayat office, treasury and social welfare department.
Hundreds of people visit it to get their official works done in different departments.“The lift has not been functioning for the past sixseven months at the Mini Vidhana Soudha, due to which the authorities have shut it down. The lift has not been repaired yet. Young people can take the stairs to visit offices, but what about the elderly or the physically-challenged?” farmer Mallanna said.
M G Patil, who is physically-challenged, said he was accompanied by his son while visiting the vidhana soudha. “The lift is not working for several months, and no one has bothered to repair it. The people’s representatives must visit the Mini Vidhana Soudha, to witness what is happening here,” he said.
Staff of a department, in the Vidhana Soudha, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said people visiting the office complain about the broken-down elevator, but the staff is helpless on the issue. “Several departments are situated in the Vidhana Soudha, but nobody is taking the responsibility to get the elevator repaired or replaced,”said the sources. Hubballi tahsildar Shashidhar Madyal said the elevator has broken down due to a technical glitch. “Technical experts have suggested a replacement for the elevator, as it cannot be repaired. I have written to the state government to get a new elevator installed,” he said.
The Mini Vidhana Soudha has been built by the Karnataka Housing Board. When asked which department will install the new elevator, the tahsildar said, “I have no idea which department, will install the new elevator, the PWD or Housing Board. Steps will be taken to install the elevator, once the government permits the same.” The Mini Vidhana Soudha was constructed when the JD (S)-BJP coalition government was in power. The then deputy chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, laid the foundation stone for the project in November 2006.