Pic: Two schoolchildren seen crossing the Rajanala at Myadar Oni in Hubballi as the concrete slab covering has collapsedHubballi: A concrete slab covering the Rajanala in HDMC Ward No. 65 collapsed on the main road connecting Myadar Oni in Hubballi, posing a threat to pedestrians and other road users. Residents said the slab remained unrepaired for the past 8 months and that the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) built a barrier instead, making it difficult for pedestrians to move.
The slab on the drain broke in many places to allow rainwater to flow smoothly. Due to heavy rainfall last year, one side of the drain completely collapsed. On the other side, sewage flowed continuously, and people walked in the middle of it with their lives in their hands.Hundreds of people travel on the route every day, residents said, adding that the bridge was the only way to cross the nala. They said it was damaged for 7-8 months and that instead of repairing it, a wall was built. They said there were many houses and commercial establishments in the area and that, despite several requests to corporation officials and the corporator about the drain problem, there were no results.Durgesh Talugeri, a resident of Myadar Oni, said the concrete cover over the Rajanala collapsed 6-7 months ago. He said municipal officials who were supposed to repair it did not take any action. He said children, elderly people, and women walked on the collapsed concrete cover over the nala risking their lives. He urged that the Rajanala be repaired soon.Chandrappa Gouli, an elderly resident, said that every year during the rainy season, the drain water level of the nala often rose like floods, and the entire area filled with sewage water. He said it was a tragedy that the corporation was sitting idly by despite the problems. He said cattle fell into the drain and got injured, and that many children walked on the damaged nala.Sunitha Burbure, HDMC Ward No. 65 corporator, said that she brought to the notice of the commissioner the damaged concrete of Rajnala at Myadar Oni. She said a tender was floated for the construction of a concrete cover worth Rs 25 lakh, and that the contractor was instructed to start the work within two days.
