Karnataka: ₹21 Lakh Lift Remains Unused, Elderly Still Carried Upstairs at Huvinahadagali Office

Despite spending ₹21 lakh on a new lift at the Huvinahadagali Sub-Registrar's Office in Karnataka's Vijayanagar district, the facility remains unusable as the contractor has yet to hand over the key, causing hardship for elderly visitors.

Even after a new lift was installed and inaugurated at the Huvinahadagali Sub-Registrar's office in Vijayanagar district, elderly citizens and persons with disabilities continue to face significant difficulties. Located on the second floor of the Revenue Department building, the office receives a large number of visitors every day, many of whom struggle to climb the stairs. Despite ₹21 lakh being spent on the project, the lift remains non-operational, forcing family members to carry senior citizens upstairs.

Contractor Yet to Hand Over the Key

The situation has arisen because the contractor who installed the lift has not yet handed over the key to the Sub-Registrar's office.

Recognising the difficulties faced by the public, particularly senior citizens and persons with disabilities, MLA Krishna Naik sanctioned funds for the lift from the unspent allocation of the Municipal Nagarothana scheme. The lift was subsequently installed and formally inaugurated.

However, despite the inauguration, it has not been put into service as the contractor has yet to hand over the key to the concerned office.

Elderly Visitors Continue to Suffer

With the lift remaining inaccessible, family members are often forced to carry elderly visitors to the second floor.

Expressing concern over the situation, Sub-Registrar Nagendrappa said, "The lift has been inaugurated, but it is still not operational. We were informed by the MLA that the key would be handed over to us. However, the contractor has not yet provided it."

What Do Municipal Officials Say?

Responding to the issue, Municipal Chief Officer G. Hanumanthappa said the handover process is still pending.

"The contractor who executed the lift project must officially submit a letter to the Sub-Registrar's office and complete the handover of the keys. That process has not yet been completed. We will take the necessary steps to ensure that the key is handed over at the earliest," he said.