Rajakaluve in old Hubballi turns into health hazard, residents demand action

Time of India

22-05-2025

Hubballi: The deteriorating condition of the rajakaluve (stormwater drain) in Old Hubballi has sparked health and safety concerns among residents of Gousia Nagar, Ibrahimpur and surrounding areas.
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The drain, which lacks proper fencing or maintenance, has become a dumping site for hard waste and construction debris. A foul stench now pervades the area, with locals reporting severe health issues. Residents are urging the
(HDMC) to clean the drain and build a protective wall to prevent sewage overflow into homes. Despite repeated pleas, no concrete steps were taken so far.
The nala development was carried out by Smart City and it was completed only across 6km, with the remaining 5km left undeveloped.
During 2024, the residents suffered many problems, such as drain water entering their houses. However, the HDMC did not take any action to clean the nala at major places. MM Hosur, a resident of Gousia Nagar, said the rajakaluve at Old Hubballi has many houses near the nala facing problems.
The govt started the construction of a barrier wall under the Smart City project from the back gate of Unakal Lake and reached Old Hubballi but did not extend further.
The areas that are prone to natural disasters are always left undeveloped. Some parts of the nala were encroached upon at ward no 77. The encroachments must be cleared, he urged.
Bhimasi Ambigeri, a resident of Old Hubballi, said because of the rainfall, the wastewater with hard waste is overflowing from the nala, entering houses, and causing serious problems, including a bad stench. If rain disasters happen, who is responsible for this? The HDMC should construct the wall to protect from drain water, Ambigeri said.
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The rajakaluve at Myadar Oni, near Tulajabhavani Temple, and Kamripeth are completely filled and overflowing. Large quantities of plastic bottles are floating, and mixed hard waste is creating problems for the shops. The drain water is not easily flowing due to the bottleneck shape of the nala, said Sanjay Navale, a shop owner in Hubballi. The last rainfall caused problems. All the waste from the nala overflowed and gathered on the road in front of shops.
The nala is filled with 70% mud and 25% hard waste, he added.
Bhaskar Jituri, joint chief trustee of SSK Tulajabhavani Temple Kendra Panch Samiti, said earlier, he suggested cleaning the nala by using a small JCB that can enter the nala easily. The nala was blocked completely. A project for a permanent solution must be planned; otherwise, it is a never-ending problem, he said.
Rudresh Gali, HDMC commissioner, said MLA Prasad Abbayya brought around Rs 10 crore for the construction of the rajakaluve wall. Around 6km of rajakaluve was protected and developed under the Smart City project. Still, 4 km has to be done, he said. "We already cleaned the nala," he said.