Owners ignore HDMC notices: 1.22 lakh vacant plots remain neglected

It is a matter of shame for the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, as it has failed to perform its basic duties, with thousands of vacant sites across the twin cities turning into overgrown, garbage-filled spaces that pose health and safety concerns for residents. According to the sources, the twin cities have nearly 3.41 lakh sites within the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) limits, around 1.22 lakh are vacant. Many of these sites are covered with weeds, bushes, plastic waste and debris, creating potential breeding grounds for insects and shelters for snakes and scorpions.

Despite repeated warnings from the civic body, several vacant-site owners have failed to maintain their properties. The HDMC has issued notices asking owners to clear the waste and vegetation, warning that the civic body would undertake the cleaning and recover the cost from them as a penalty. Under the provisions of the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, if owners fail to clean their vacant sites, the civic body can undertake the work and recover the expenditure from the owners. Despite this pro- vision, the HDMC has largely limited itself to issuing notices, with little visible enforcement on the ground.

Officials had issued notices to vacant-site owners last year as well, warning them of penalties. However, the lack of sustained en forcement has allowed the problem to continue. For some owners, the prospect of paying a penal ty appears to have become an easier option than main taining their properties. Instead of spending money on clearing vegetation and waste, some owners appear willing to wait for the corporation to undertake the cleaning and pay the penalty later. The problem is particularly visible in almost all areas. In several locations, vacant sites along prominent roads are covered with thick vegetation and litter.

Even well-developed residential layouts are not immune, with neglected plots becoming eyesores and causing in convenience to neighbouring residents. Residents have also raised concerns that accumulated waste and overgrown vegetation could contribute to the spread of diseases and provide hiding places for snakes, scorpions and other pests.According to civic records, the twin cities have around 3.41 lakh sites, including approximately 1.84 lakh residential sites, 34,000 commercial sites and 714 industrial sites. The remaining 1.22 lakh sites are vacant.

The sheer number of vacant proper ties makes regular monitoring and enforcement a major challenge for the civic administration. However, residents argue that the exis tence of a large number of vacant sites cannot be an excuse for allowing them to become dumping grounds. Officials said notices had been issued to owners as part of measures to prevent health hazards. Owners who fail to act even after repeated notices would face penalties, and the HDMC would take up the cleaning work and re- cover the cost from them, they said. HDMC Commissioner Dr. Rudresh Ghali said the civic body would not allow vacant sites to remain neglected.

“If the sites are not cleaned, the corporation will undertake the cleaning and recover the expenditure from the owners in the form of a penalty. Site owners should not be negligent and must ensure that their properties are cleaned,” he said during recent meeting. Speaking to News Trail, senior HDMC member Veeranna Savadi said, de spite repeated warnings and administrative resolutions, over 1.22 lakh vacant plots across the city have been left severely over grown, turning into breeding grounds for pests and a persistent public nuisance for local residents. The issue stems from a combination of absentee property owners and a glaring lack of execution by the Mahanagara Palike.