Hubballi Mayor's Monthly Phone-In Session Highlights Civic Issues
During the monthly phone-in session conducted by Hubballi Mayor Jyothi Patil on Wednesday, nearly one-third of the citizen complaints centered around malfunctioning street lights and unresolved water supply grievances. Mayor Patil took the opportunity to direct officials to treat these matters with utmost seriousness and instructed L&T staff to promptly address drinking water concerns.
Street Lighting Emerges as Primary Concern
The session commenced with a suggestion to implement best practices observed during a recent visit by HDMC corporators and officials to Indore. Malatesh, a resident of Shivanand Nagar, urged the mayor to adopt some of Indore's successful initiatives, though his call was unfortunately disconnected.
Multiple citizens from across Hubballi-Dharwad reported persistent street light failures:
- A caller from Subhash Nagar, Keshwapur, highlighted an electric pole near his residence that had been non-functional for an extended period.
- MI Pachapur from Hanumant Nagar described the difficulties of navigating broken roads in darkness.
- Another resident from Sahadev Nagar, Gokul Road, 3rd Cross, reported complete darkness in their area.
- Arjun from Nekar Nagar, Giriyal Road, and Shivanand from Nehru Nagar, Kelageri, Dharwad (Ward 62) lodged similar complaints about inadequate street lighting.
Mayor Patil assured all callers that repairs or new bulb installations would be completed by nightfall and instructed officials to take immediate action.
Water Supply Issues Take Center Stage
Water supply problems emerged as the second major area of concern during the phone-in session:
- A resident of Shantiniketan Colony in Dharwad reported receiving water only once every nine days. L&T officials responded that a blockage at a showroom had been cleared and promised improved frequency to once every six days starting from the next cycle.
- A retired deputy range forest officer revealed that leakage issues since 2014 had deprived numerous homes in Indiranagar of adequate water supply.
- Siddalingesh from Saraswatpur, Dharwad, reported leakage at a water tank, with water entering an apartment complex housing twelve families on Kalghatgi Road.
The mayor demanded an immediate response from L&T officials, who explained that a proposal had been forwarded to Bengaluru authorities and the leakage would be rectified upon approval.
Water Bill Disputes and Settlement Requests
An advocate raised concerns about pending water bills, referencing the Adalat system that HDMC had assured during Commissioner Gopalkrishna's tenure. The advocate explained that when L&T assumed control of water supply operations, air trapped in pipes caused meter readings to surge unexpectedly, resulting in household bills ranging from Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000. The advocate urged for a one-time settlement (OTS) similar to Bengaluru corporation's approach. Mayor Patil confirmed that a letter requesting OTS had already been dispatched to Bengaluru authorities.
Officials Held Accountable for Delays
Mayor Patil expressed disappointment with officials who neglected the phone-in program's importance. The session also witnessed accountability measures when Jagadish Doddamani, the in-charge zonal assistant commissioner, arrived at 11:30 AM instead of the scheduled 11 AM start time. Both Mayor Patil and HDMC Commissioner Rudresh Ghali reprimanded Doddamani for the delay. When questioned about his tardiness, Doddamani cited unspecified work commitments, prompting Commissioner Ghali to remind him that as a zone head, such explanations were unacceptable. Mayor Patil emphasized that she lacked answers for queries from his zone due to his absence. Doddamani offered apologies and assured that such incidents would not recur.
