Choked drains, overflowing sewage water suffocate Hubballi

Hubballi: The Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) seems least bothered about making the city free from clogged drains and overflowing sewage water.

Residents, frustrated by the frequent rains, have been urging for the clearance of choked drains, but the HDMC appears to have turned a deaf ear to these demands. The unbearable stink emanating from blocked chambers and overflowing gutters has made life miserable at Lamington Road, Station Road, Keshwapur, Hosur, Old Hubballi, and other parts of the city.

Dumping of plastics, debris of construction work and others are the main reason for the clogging of drains. Thanks to the negligence of the HDMC officials who failed to carry out the cleaning and desilting exercises of nalas and open drains ahead of the rain. People of the city including upmarket areas are also blaming corporation authorities for its failure to tackle this issue.

In some areas, due to old connection of UGD, the pipelines are getting choked due to load on pipes beyond their capacity. Choking of drains is common in many of the residential areas in the interior and also at the extension parts of the city.

When contacted, the commercial establishments on Station Road said that for the past few days, they have been facing lots of problems due to the filthy atmosphere at the entrance of Hubballi railway station.Because of drainage water on the road, people are blaming civic officials and the elected representatives.

Sachin from Badaminagar in Keshwapur said: “We are facing numerous problems due to choking of the drainage chamber near a Govt Kannada school of Nagashettikoppa. The staff of HDMC tried to solve the issue, but they failed. Ironically, many VIPs, especially former CM Jagadish Shettar and former MP Manjunath Konnur use the same road to reach their houses but the HDMC officials have not considered the matter seriously and have not resolved the problem.”

HDMC commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi said: “Many clogged drains have come to our notice. Earlier, 6-inch pipes were used. However, now, due to the increase in population, the load on the pipe has increased because in some areas the drains getting choked. Instructions have been issued to the civil engineers to find out the choking spots and plan to install a one-foot pipe.”

For emergency clearing of choking drains, officials have been asked to take up the works on a war footing by using the sewer jetting machines available with them, he added.