HUBLI
Recent rains and waterlogging in Hubballi have led to severely dusty roads, posing health risks for motorists. Despite the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) spending Rs 92 lakh on misting vehicles to tackle the dust problem, they have yet to deploy these vehicles effectively. Additionally, while HDMC owns road-sweeping machines, their performance is hindered by numerous potholes, worsening the situation.
Hubli-Dharwad is one of 132 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) but has yet to take concrete action to address the issue. Motorists, who once dealt with waterlogged streets, are now struggling with clouds of dust from loose gravel and damaged roads. Some drivers are even forced to shield their eyes from dust particles, which makes driving hazardous.
The situation is particularly concerning on the stretch from KC Circle to Old Bus Stand, where loose gravel and potholes cause significant dust pollution. The roads become even more difficult to navigate after each rainfall, as potholes multiply and the gravel further deteriorates the surface.
Vijay Kumar, the Superintending Engineer at HDMC, explained that two advanced machines for road sweeping are now being used during night-time operations, along with misting machines. He assured that instructions have been given to contractors to begin pothole repairs soon, with work set to start in several areas. However, despite these efforts, road conditions remain a challenge for commuters.
