The main entrance to Hubballi city along the crucial Hubballi-Solapur National Highway (NH-50) has been disgracefully transformed into an open garbage dump. Households and construction sites are illegally depositing massive amounts of waste on the roadside of Kusugal Road, with the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) failing to take any concrete action to stop this environmental eyesore.
A Growing Menace on a National Highway
This illegal dumping ground is expanding daily, receiving a mix of domestic garbage and construction debris. Residents report that materials like hard rubble, discarded clothes, and wet waste are being indiscriminately tossed onto the roadside. The waste is primarily dumped under the cover of early morning or after sunset, making it difficult to catch the culprits red-handed.
The Hubballi-Solapur road is a major national highway connecting to cities in Maharashtra, including Solapur, serving as a vital artery for regional connectivity and interstate transport. Despite heavy vehicle movement, the dumping continues unabated, severely damaging the road's beautification efforts.
Residents Voice Anger and Demand Action
Local citizens from developing areas like Sundar Colony, Sanskar Colony, and Siddaganga Colony are raising alarms. They allege that the negligence of civic officials is directly responsible for the ongoing illegal activity.
Siddhartha Pujar, a motorist from Hubballi, stated that the dumping has become a regular sight. "Along with construction waste, residents nearby are also throwing waste on this road. The corporation should take action in this regard and impose fines," he urged.
Echoing similar sentiments, Manjunath Belur, a resident of Keshawapur, highlighted that even mud and other construction waste are being dumped on this major road. "City outskirts should be clean and green. HDMC should remove all waste and shift it to the designated dumping yard," he demanded.
HDMC's Response and Promises
When confronted, Santosh Yarangalli, the executive engineer of HDMC's solid waste management department, acknowledged the problem. He claimed that the corporation had cleared the waste earlier, but some offenders have resumed dumping construction material.
"Soon, the waste will be cleared and strict action will be taken against those who dump waste," Yarangalli assured. However, residents remain skeptical, waiting for these promises to translate into visible, permanent action that will restore the aesthetic appeal of their city's important gateway.
