Latest news with #PrasadAbbayya
Time of India
7 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.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Old Hubballi hospital all set to get taluk hospital status
Hubballi: The 100-bedded Old Hubballi maternity and general hospital, currently under the ownership of HDMC, is set to be transformed into a taluk hospital. This matter has been included in the agenda for the general body meeting scheduled on May 31. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Sources indicate that local MLA Prasad Abbayya formally requested HDMC officials through correspondence, to discuss this transition. The hospital currently operates with 16 staff members including medical practitioners, nurses, and support staff. Given the current staff limitations, HDMC faces challenges in hospital operations. The construction work at the 100-bedded Old Hubballi hospital is ongoing. The proposal suggests transferring the facility to the health department, and its conversion into Hubballi taluk hospital. Upon health department acquisition, the facility is expected to be upgraded to match private hospital standards. Currently, HDMC continues to oversee operations at Chitaguppi hospital. Sources within HDMC reveal that the Old Hubballi maternity and general hospital, spanning 2,136 square metres was demolished to facilitate its upgrade to a 100-bed facility. The renovation aimed to provide advanced healthcare services to the locals. The initiative commenced in 2017-18 with a G+3 structural design and an 18-month completion timeline, with an estimated budget of Rs 14 crores. However, financial constraints hindered the progress. Although HDMC secured partial funding and utilised Rs 7.5 crores, construction activities slowed significantly. The contractor, investing personal funds, halted work pending reimbursement, resulting in minimal progress since then. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After completion of construction, HDMC will encounter operational challenges in managing the hospital, primarily due to limited enthusiasm from medical professionals and support personnel for contractual positions. The 100-bed facility requires sufficient medical practitioners, auxiliary staff, and technical experts to handle additional services, HDMC sources added. Considering the financial constraints faced by HDMC in completing and operationalising the hospital construction, local MLA Prasad Abbayya advised HDMC officials to transfer the structure to the health department. The department would then allocate funds to develop it as a taluk hospital. HDMC health officer Dr Sridhar Dandeppanavar said that based on the letter from MLA Prasad Abbayya, this matter was on the agenda of the general body meeting. HDMC commissioner Rudresh Ghali confirmed that the matter was incorporated into the general body's agenda for consideration. The general body will take the final decision on the matter. Pic: Finding a solution: Construction work at Old Hubballi hospital has slowed down due to funds crunch. MLA Prasad Abbayya has advised HDMC to transfer the structure to the health department, which would provide funding for its development as taluk hospita
The Hindu
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Five Namma Clinics opened in Hubballi
Five Namma Clinic outlets at different localities in Hubballi Dharwad East Assembly constituency were inaugurated by MLA and Karnataka Slum Development Board (KSDB) Chairman Prasad Abbayya on May 12. Addressing a gathering at Waddara Oni in Hubballi after inaugurating five clinics at different localities, Mr. Abbayya said that the new clinics will aim to provide quality healthcare to common people. They would work as 'Sanjivini' for the poor. He inaugurated Namma Clinic outlets at M. Aralikatti, Gandhi Nagar, Padadayyana Hakkala, Medar Oni and Janglipet Waddar Oni. Listing out various development works taken up in the constituency in the last 11 years, Mr. Prasad Abbayya said that only one Namma Clinic was opened in the constituency when the BJP was in power. The Congress government sanctioned five clinics that have been commissioned now. The KSDB Chairman said that the new Namma Clinic outlets would reduce the burden on KMC-RI Hospital as good healthcare facilities and treatment would be made available in their respective localities. 'People will not have to go to KMCRI hospital for every small problem, as they will get requisite treatment in Namma Clinics,' he said. Mr. Abbayya emphasised the need for officials to take steps to see that Namma Clinics function well by ensuring proper maintenance on regular basis. Any complaint of corruption or neglect would be treated seriously, he said adding that the government of Karnataka had spent ₹5,597 crore on healthcare in the last two years. District Health Officer Dr. S.M. Honakeri, Municipal Commissioner Rudresh Ghali, HDMC Health Officer Sridhar Dandeppanavar, and council members were present. The 'Namma Clinic' outlets will be able to care for pregnant women and newborns, screen for various diseases, and for various outpatient services.
