Hubballi: Commercial boroughs in the twin cities are turning into cauldrons of
dust pollution. The increased concentration of germs in the air in pockets such as Koppikar Road, Dajibanpeth, Janata Bazaar, Maratha Galli, et al, has people anxious about their becoming susceptible to allergies such as asthma and skin diseases.
Most of the roads in the commercial pockets of the twin cities are under repair, owing to which a significant portion of the thoroughfares are exposed, and increased movement of vehicles means that clouds of dust remain hovering in the air for considerably long periods. The apathy of the authorities concerned to fix the roads in these pockets ahead of the festive season means that many residents, thronging markets in
Hubballi-Dharwad, are being exposed to the dust-filled air.
Shri Nagar resident Shruti D said that travelling between Durgadbail and Koppikar Road was a forgettable experience, largely owing to the cloud of dust that one passed through. “On the other hand, the roads are so congested that autos find it hard to negotiate the traffic, while walking means inviting health problems,” she said.
Dharwad district environmental officer Shobha Pol attributed the pothole-riddled roads in the twin cities for the spike in
air pollution. “If the condition of the roads improves, then the pollution level will decrease,” Shobha said.
Activist Samad Gulbarga opined that the civic agencies had commenced work on the roads at the wrong time. “During festive seasons, it is to be expected that people turn up in large numbers at markets. Repairing roads at such a time is ill-advised. But if the authorities are really keen on fixing the roads soon, the work needs to be done during the night, when the roads are swept. That way, there will also be no dust,” Samad said.
Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) commissioner Suresh Itnal said that the
Covid-19 crisis had already delayed completion of several projects, owing to which work on most roads was being carried on at an accelerated pace. “We have started work on filling up of potholes, and we will be sprinkling water on the roads to mitigate dust pollution. We are intent on covering all the roads before
Deepavali,” he said.