Encroachments cleared in Hubballi witnesses encroachment

The district administration launched the operation to clear the encroachment of parking space in Hubballi on Tuesday and demolished nine buildings which had come up illegally in the area meant for parking. The buildings that have more than 5,000 square feet have been identified for clearing the encroachment in the first phase.

Deputy Commissioner P Rajendra Cholan and Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation Commissioner Noor Mansur led the drive that began at 6.30 AM amid tight police security. The drive comes amidst much opposition from the councilors who had demanded a details study of the buildings before launching the drive. The councilors at a special meeting held last week had expressed their reservation about the district administration's methodology of identifying the buildings that had violated the norms.

The district administration has identified 389 buildings in the twin cities of Dharwad and Hubballi that have violated the rules regarding parking space. The owners of such buildings had been issued notices to clear the encroachment voluntarily and when they did not respond the drive was launched. Deputy Commissioner P Rajendra Cholan said the citizens can inform the administration if there are more buildings that have violated the parking rules. The operation will go on for a month, he added.