New Hubli-Dharwad mayor has his task cut out

Hubli-Dharwad mayor Shivu Hiremath has his task cut out before he completes his term. The new mayor, who could not start work soon after getting elected to the post owing to the announcement of elections to the Lok Sabha and the implementation of the model code of conduct, entered his office on Friday which is an auspicious day being Akshaya Tritiya.

The new mayor is now visiting places to have first hand information on the state of affairs. After taking the contractors assigned with the job of clearing the garbage to task for their laxity, the mayor now wants to take the pending projects of Super Market Renovation and shifting of meat market to the logical end. Both the projects are pending for a long time.

The urban development department's rider that the project should be taken up on Public Private Partnership (PPP) has come as a spanner in the wheel. There were attempts to secure funds from Karnataka State Finance Corporation (KSFC) but in vain.

Shivu Hiremath said he would move the authorities concerned and expedite the project. The Super Market situated in the erstwhile Halageri, spread over an area of 5 acre 35 gunthas is in such a bad shape, people detest entering the market which is slushy and highly unhygienic. It is a nightmare to go to the market in rainy season as the visitors are exposed to multiple dangers. The slushy pathway, heaps of garbage and lack of hygiene make the movement in the market difficult.

With the state government headed by Jagadish Shettar had cleared the proposal to develop Super Market. However, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's budget made no mention of allocation of funds for the development of Super Market and this had raised doubts about the project materializing. The Rs 83 crore proposal sent by HDMC envisages construction of a five storey complex at an area of 3 acre 20 gunthas. There will be provision for parking of 250 four-wheelers and 450 two-wheelers. Over 750 stalls (each measuring 6ft x 5 ft) are to be constructed for vendors.

Slaughter House: The slaughter house situated near Shivaji circle on Dharwad-Hebballi road has been an eye sore. The proposal to shift the market to another location on the outskirts of the city had been accepted way back in 1990s. Mayor Shivu Hiremath should have the political will to shift the market to the proposed new site on Hebballi road. There is the historical monument of British Collector Thackrey's grave in the vicinity.

What has really spelt doom to the site is the systematic encroachment by the slaughterhouse and meat-and-fish market. Apart from the stink and filth, the neglect has been compounded by the destruction of the monument. Not only this, the slaughterhouse dumps bones, carcasses right into the graveyard thus burying the site and the historic value.

One can not reach the exact spot of the grave as the entire area is covered by filth. The slaughterhouse has also been a source of pollution to the whole area, which has two primary schools, as many high schools, a temple, a mosque and stalls which sell foodgrains belonging to the APMC.

Protests by school children and members of several voluntary organizations against the unhygienic environment prevailing in the area have not yielded any result so far.