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Karnataka's Idle Smart City: 62 Crore Spent on an Infrastructure-Themed Silent Retreat

29 January 2026 - Hubballi-Dharwad, Karnataka

Record date
29 Jan 2026
Location
Hubballi-Dharwad, Karnataka
The odd part

Spending 62 crores to create a city so smart it decided to go on a strike before even opening.

What happened

A fresh CAG report reveals that in Hubballi-Dharwad, infrastructure worth ₹62.60 crore is currently serving its most important function: staying perfectly still. Part of the 'Smart Cities Mission,' these projects have successfully avoided the wear and tear of public use by simply remaining 'idle.' It is the ultimate administrative 'big brain' move—zero maintenance costs because nobody is allowed to enter. Taxpayer money has finally achieved its final form: an expensive, stationary art installation.

Source material