Latest news with #HDMC
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
Unmaintained open sites in twin cities pose danger to public health
Hubballi: Open sites in twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad have emerged as a major concern for public health and safety. These neglected plots have turned into breeding grounds for mosquitoes and shelters for stray animals. The unchecked growth of wild vegetation in these areas has led to the formation of mini-jungles within residential zones, posing difficulties for safe movement. As per Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) records, there are 1,30,000 open sites in the city, many of which are contributing to hygiene and security issues in localities. The uncontrolled growth of vegetation in these sites has created mini-jungles within residential areas, making it difficult for residents to move safely around their neighbourhoods. HDMC has begun taking measures to address this issue following the directive from district minister Santosh Lad. The civic body will now issue formal notices to site owners, requiring them to clear and maintain their properties. The owners will have a week to comply with these notices. The HDMC has outlined a three-step enforcement plan. Firstly, owners who fail to respond to initial notices will face substantial monetary penalties. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Forget Furosemide, Use This Household Item To Help Drain Edema Fluid WellnessGuide Learn more Undo Secondly, if the sites remain uncleaned despite the fines, the authorities will undertake the cleaning work and charge the expenses to the owners. Finally, in cases of continued non-compliance, the municipal corporation has been authorised to acquire these plots. Local residents have welcomed this initiative, as these neglected sites have been causing various problems, including increased incidents of dengue and Chikungunya. The presence of stray animals has also led to safety concerns, particularly for children and elderly residents in these areas. The municipal authorities have started mapping these sites and creating a database of property owners. They will also conduct regular inspections to ensure sustained compliance with cleanliness standards. This systematic approach aims to transform these problematic spaces into well-maintained areas that contribute positively to the urban landscape of the twin cities. Ashok Kumar, a resident of Gokul Road, said the open plots have become overgrown with vegetation, transforming residential areas into breeding grounds for mosquitoes and providing refuge for stray dogs, cattle, and pigs. The authorities should initiate stern action against the owners of the land. Rudresh Ghali, commissioner, HDMC, mentioned that district minister Santosh Lad recently gave instructions for strict action against open sites. He stated that they will begin proceedings against open sites and have instructed all zonal officials to gather information about open site owners and send them notices. He also indicated that if owners do not comply, they will conduct an extensive open sites cleaning operation, with the expenses being recovered from site owners during property tax collection.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
HDMC works on storm water management plan
Hubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) is crafting a comprehensive storm water management plan, drawing lessons from recent urban flooding. Officials have mapped and categorised water channels, including over 290km of nalas and subnalas across the twin cities. A detailed GIS survey and aerial mapping were completed. The corporation is now awaiting the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) report, which will provide crucial data for targeted reinforcement works and drainage upgrades. This model will provide crucial topographical data, helping officials understand the natural water flow patterns and identify critical points that need immediate intervention. The DEM survey will complement the existing GIS aerial survey data, offering a complete picture of the drainage network. The corporation plans to implement modern engineering solutions to prevent future flooding. This includes widening crucial drainage channels, constructing new stormwater drains, and installing advanced water flow monitoring systems. The officials are also focusing on removing encroachments along the natural water channels to ensure smooth water flow during heavy rainfall. Additionally, the HDMC is planning to create water retention zones and improve existing drainage infrastructure. These measures will help manage excess water during the monsoon season and reduce the risk of urban flooding. The corporation is also considering the implementation of sustainable drainage systems that can effectively handle increasing rainfall intensity due to climate change. Once the DEM report is available, the HDMC will prioritise areas based on their vulnerability to flooding and begin implementing these solutions systematically. The comprehensive approach aims to create a resilient storm water management system that can protect both residents and infrastructure from future flood-related challenges. According to HDMC sources, following the recent unprecedented rainfall in Hubballi city that was 400 times higher than normal in a single day, senior HDMC officials are developing strategies to address future flood-like situations caused by downpours. The officials will draft proposals and present them to elected representatives to secure special funding for implementing these measures on the ground. Vijay Kumar R, superintending engineer, HDMC, explained that currently they possess information about subnalas from a survey conducted by HDMC officials, which indicates 29km of subnalas with a width exceeding 1.5m. He mentioned they are coordinating with the agency that completed the aerial survey for the DEM report, and once received, it would provide precise details about storm water sources and feeders to the subnalas.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Minister Santosh Lad participates in cleanliness drive
Hubballi: District minister Santosh Lad visited various areas of the city, including Siddhroodha Mutt, Arudha Nagar, and Ganeshnagar, and joined hands with civic workers in a cleanliness drive on Sunday. Lad took the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) officials to task for poor waste management in twin cities. He also insisted that officials should not just spend time in their cars or offices but should conduct spot visits and field visits. They should be informed about the areas under their jurisdiction and the problems there every day. Speaking to reporters, Lad said the programme is not for posing or a picnic; it is to create awareness among the citizens about the environment, cleanliness, and hygiene, and to make the municipal employees perform their duties conscientiously. Lad said that the complaints handed to him by the public made it clear that the officers who fail to understand the problems of the area and who only provide statistics and information at progress review meetings without responding to the complaints of the public are not performing their duties efficiently and within stipulated time. "Every morning, for at least two hours, all the officers and staff, including the commissioner of the corporation, should visit various areas of the city and pay attention to the problems, cleanliness, and works there. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Information should be given to the officials concerned to solve it, and it should be followed up. Everyone should make sincere efforts to make Hubballi and Dharwad beautiful and clean," he said. "As many as 622 black spots where residents throw garbage have been identified in important public places. These should be cleaned continuously. There are about 82,000 empty sites in the corporation area. The owners of these empty sites are also at fault for spoiling the beauty of the city. Most of these sites do not have a compound, no wire fence, and are not clean. They are filled with overgrown weeds. Others bring their household garbage and throw it in. Poisonous animals and pigs are living in these sites. The commissioner should consider this seriously, issue a public announcement in this regard, and direct the site owners to clean their sites within a week," Lad said. MLA Prasad Abbayya, deputy commissioner Divya Prabhu, HDMC commissioner Rudresh Gali, and others were present. Santosh Lad accused the BJP of building party offices by collecting donations from betting apps and those who slaughter cows, while exporting beef. "These BJP people are making money through Electoral Bonds and other smart apps. The BJP is building party offices by collecting donations from people. We worship the cow as mother but our country stands third in the world in beef export," he said. Lad asked the BJP govt where the Rs 2,000 notes were. "Rs 40,000 crore was spent to make Rs 2,000 notes. Will the BJP talk about this?" he questioned. Before demonetisation, there were 16,33,000 crore notes in circulation. Today, there are 35 lakh crore notes in circulation. Rs 2,000 notes are missing," he said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Hubballi faces recurring flood management challenges
Hubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation seems to have disregarded the lessons from the floods of 2019 in Hubballi, which caused extensive damage to roads and both private and public properties. A survey conducted following the 2019 floods in Hubballi, triggered by heavy rainfall, identified several critical issues: encroachment of nalas, lack of open drainage systems in commercial and residential zones, and clogged nalas. These identical problems have resurfaced now, as the city faces another flood-like situation. Meanwhile, HDMC continues to grapple with flood management issues. Despite the severe flooding in 2019, the essential preventive measures were not implemented effectively. The uncleaned nalas remain a persistent problem, causing waterlogging during heavy rainfall. Most of the residential and commercial areas have been particularly affected due to poor drainage systems. Local residents have expressed concerns about the lack of proper stormwater channels and the slow pace of nala retaining wall construction projects. The commercial areas along Koppikar Road, Dajibanpeth, Station Road, and others face similar challenges with inadequate drainage infrastructure. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo The corporation's failure to address encroachments along natural water channels has worsened the situation. Several buildings and temporary structures continue to obstruct the natural flow of water. The absence of proper drainage networks in newly developed areas has added to the problem. The civic body needs to implement a comprehensive flood management plan. This should include regular cleaning of nalas, removal of encroachments, and construction of proper drainage systems. The corporation must also ensure that new developments include adequate drainage infrastructure. Local authorities need to work with urban planners to develop long-term solutions. R Vijay Kumar, Superintending Engineer of HDMC, explained that while the Smart City Mission's green mobility corridor work continues, areas with constructed retaining walls along nalas have remained safe from flooding. However, Old Hubballi regions lacking these protective walls have experienced flooding issues. He noted that they identified the primary flooding causes in Old Hubballi and surrounding areas. Recently, MLA Prasad Abbayya, DC Divya Prabhu, and the HDMC Commissioner advised NHAI officials to remove the low-level bridges at Nekar Nagar, as these structures cause rainwater blockage, leading to flooding in residential and other areas. He further stated that several flood prevention strategies were developed and will be implemented.
Deccan Herald
6 days ago
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Mayor election on June 30; political activities gain pace
For the posts of mayor and deputy mayor of the twin cities, elections will be held on June 30 at 1:00 terms of Ramappa (Ramanna) Badiger as mayor and Durgamma Bijwad as deputymayor will end on June 28. Regional Commissioner S B Shettennavar has issued a notification announcing the elections for both posts on June the coming term of one year, mayor's post is reserved for general woman, and deputy mayor's position is reserved for Backward Class A candidate. Nominations can be submitted from 9:00 am to 11:00 am at the HDMC central office in Hubballi, where the election procedures will be held under the leadership of the regional activity picked up pace with the announcement of date for the mayoral election. Political circles are abuzz with speculation: Will the BJP leadership give another chance to a corporator from Dharwad, or will it be a first-time corporator from the Hubballi-Dharwad East constituency?Sources within the BJP, which currently holds power in the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), suggest that the final decision will rest with Union Minister Pralhad Joshi. However, the choice of candidate will not be unilateral. Consensus will be sought from all elected BJP reserved for womanThis time, the mayoral post is reserved for a woman in the general category, leading to intense competition. Over a dozen aspirants are reportedly eyeing the coveted position.A senior corporator stated that while more than 10 women corporators from Hubballi are in the fray, two from Dharwad have also emerged as strong Dharwad, Jyoti Patil and Anita Chalgeri are seen as front-runners. In contrast, the list of aspirants from Hubballi is significantly longer.'It remains to be seen whether the party will favor a newcomer or stick with its earlier pattern of electing an experienced corporator,' the corporator another corporator offered a different perspective, pointing out that in the last three terms, mayors have hailed from Hubballi-Dharwad West and Hubballi Central he argued, increases the likelihood of a candidate from Hubballi-Dharwad East getting the nod this time. 'But since the candidate from the East constituency is a first-timer, it's uncertain whether the party high command will take that risk,' he this uncertainty, intense lobbying and political maneuvering are already underway. Party sources revealed that the BJP is expected to finalise its candidate by June 29.
