Vithalrao Vaikunthrao Deshpande
Dharwad : The birth centenary of civil engineer, irrigation expert and administrator Vithalrao Vaikunthrao Deshpande will be celebrated at Alur Venkatrao Bhavan here at 4 pm on Oct 24-2026. Born on Oct 24, 1926, Deshpande contributed to Karnataka’s irrigation and water-resource development. He worked on major projects, including Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Bhadra and Kali, and was involved in designing Supa dam.
Seven engineers who worked with Deshpande on irrigation and construction projects — GC Tallur, BT Rajmane, PK Junzurwad, 102-year-old SS Bellunke, Satyanarayan, VS Chalageri and Vijaya Hiremath — will be felicitated. Stay updated with the latest Hubballi news.
Senior paediatrician Dr Rajan Deshpande said Administrative Reforms Commission chairperson RV Deshpande, Gadag MLA HK Patil and deputy leader of the opposition Aravind Bellad would be chief guests. Former PWD secretary GC Tallur and Mumbai-based senior oncosurgeon Dr Raman Deshpande will be guests of honour. A rolling trophy instituted by the family in Deshpande’s memory will be presented to former engineer-in-chief and CADA administrator MB Parappagoudar for lifetime achievement and JMS Pvt Ltd MD Jagadish Nandi for excellence in civil engineering. Download the TOI App.