Citizens pour their woes before authorities face-to-face

Sunita Ksheerasagar of Shakti Colony at Shettar Layout here was not happy with the condition of roads, and collection of waste in the area, while Neelambika Hosmani, a student of Vishwabharati School in Unkal area, stressed the need for installing 'school zone' boards and clearing footpaths for easy pedestrian movement.

In reply, Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) Executive Engineer (North) Mahesh Gowda noted that tenders have already been called to develop roads at Shettar Layout, while he would personally inspect the garbage collection, and would rectify the errors. Along with him, Corporator Umeshgouda Kaujageri and Assistant Commissioner of Police (North) A H Pathan assured to take steps to solve the problems mentioned by Neelambika Hosmani.

From problems related to a particular location in a certain area, and to larger issues concerning thousands of people, a variety of civic problems were raised by the citizens at the 'Janaspandana' programme, organised by Deccan Herald-Prajavani Group here on Saturday. The People's representatives and officials concerned responded to the issues, by explaining the steps taken or to be taken, and by giving assurances.

The event which brought citizens and authorities concerned together for the redressal of public grievances in Hubballi-Dharwad Central Assembly constituency was attended by Leader of Opposition in Legislative Assembly Jagadish Shettar who represents the constituency, Mayor D K Chavan, Corporators Veerana Savadi, Rajanna Koravi, Pandurang Patil, Mahesh Burli, Umeshgouda Kaujageri, Ashwini Majjagi, Laxmi Uppar, Smitha Jadhav, Menaka Hurali and Beerappa Khandekar. Officials of HDMC, H-D BRTS Company, Karnataka Water Board, NWKRTC, HDUDA and other departments were also present, to answer the queries of the citizens.

Damaged condition of roads, pig menace, stray dog menace, improper waste collection, gutters blocked with garbage, open plots causing nuisance, overflowing sewage water, delay in water supply, dust, traffic congestion, lack of parking space, unscientific road humps, liquor shops in residential areas, streetlight problem, burning of waste, and many other issues were raised by the citizens including doctors, other professionals, women and students. A few persons from other constituencies had also come to express their grievances.

Officials blamed

A S Kulkarni of Vidyanagar lamented that HDMC officials are not responding to the demands of the residents, while Dr K H Jituri noted that unscientific road humps have not been removed even after a court order.

Dr G B Sattur noted that officials should have ensured that road humps were not unscientific, while sewage water is not mixed with drinking water. "Shall the citizens go to the court to get these things done," he asked. Citizens should be alert first, and should join hands for the development of the city, he said.

D M Shanbhag opined that the HDMC commissioner and H-D BRTS Company Limited managing director should have attended the programme, and he also called them irresponsible officials.

Dr M C Sindhur lamented that the officials are not responding to the plea to develop 18-metre wide road from Kamaripet to Unkal Cross Road, under the CRF, though the land required is available as per the CDP.

Corporator Veeranna Savadi also noted that HDMC commissioner and deputy commissioner are the authorities who clear the files related to solutions for many public grievances, and they should attend to such programmes.

At one point of time, Corporator Pandurang Patil admitted that the HDMC lagged in utilising Solar City project, and it has to be utilised before the funds get lapsed.