Hubli, December 2, 2025 – In the heart of Hubli's vibrant commercial hubs, MG Road Market and the adjacent Javali Sal Market, residents and shopkeepers are wading through a nightmare of stagnant drainage water and towering garbage piles. Despite repeated pleas to the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), not a single elected representative—from Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Council (MLCs) to Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and even local councillors—has bothered to visit the beleaguered sites, leaving ordinary citizens to fend for themselves amid health hazards and economic losses.
The crisis at MG Road Market, a bustling artery of retail and street commerce, began intensifying during the recent monsoon season but has now escalated into a full-blown public health emergency. Cracked sewage lines have sprung leaks, turning key stretches of the market into murky pools of foul-smelling water that overflow onto footpaths and shop entrances. Pedestrians risk slips and infections, while vendors report a sharp drop in footfall as customers steer clear of the unhygienic conditions.
"I've been running my vegetable stall here for 15 years, but this is the worst it's ever been," lamented Rajesh Patil, a 52-year-old vendor at MG Road. "The water is ankle-deep every evening, breeding mosquitoes and rats. We complained to HDMC three months ago—multiple times via their helpline and even in writing—but nothing. Our councillor? Nowhere to be seen. It's like we're invisible."
Adding insult to injury, the Javali Sal Market—known for its wholesale grain and spice trade—presents an equally grim picture. Heaps of uncollected waste, including rotting food scraps and plastic debris, have accumulated in open corners, attracting stray animals and emitting a pervasive stench that permeates the air. Shop owners say the garbage has not been cleared in over a week, exacerbating the drainage issues as blocked gullies force wastewater to pool amid the refuse.
a spice trader in her late 40s, voiced the frustration echoing through the markets. "We pay taxes for basic services, but look around—filth everywhere. Our MLA's office promised action after our petition last month, but it's all talk. Even the MP's team hasn't acknowledged our emails. How are we supposed to earn a living like this? My sales have halved because no one wants to shop in a dump."
Local residents, whom officials have dismissively termed "commoners" in internal memos leaked to this reporter, have mobilized small WhatsApp groups to document the mess with photos and videos, sharing them across social media in a bid for attention. Posts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) under hashtags like #SaveHubliMarkets and #HDMCFail have garnered hundreds of shares, yet the digital outcry has yielded no official response.
HDMC Commissioner Dr. Vamseedharan, when contacted, attributed the delays to "ongoing infrastructure audits" and "budget constraints post-monsoon repairs." However, he offered no timeline for intervention, stating only that "teams are being dispatched soon." Critics, including civic activist group Hubli Citizens' Forum, call this a "stock excuse," pointing to similar unaddressed complaints in other wards.
The absence of elected leaders is particularly galling. Hubli-Dharwad's Lok Sabha MP,Pralhad Joshi, and the local MLA, Mahesh Tenginkai (BJP), have been vocal on national issues but silent on these grassroots woes. Attempts to reach their offices went unanswered, while the municipal councillor for the Old Hubli ward cited "scheduling conflicts" via a brief text message.
Health experts warn that the stagnant water and garbage could spark outbreaks of vector-borne diseases like dengue and leptospirosis, especially as winter fog traps the odors and moisture. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has been urged by locals to investigate, but no formal probe has been announced.
As dusk falls on these once-thriving markets, the flickering neon signs reflect off oily puddles, a stark symbol of administrative indifference. For the thousands who depend on these spaces for their livelihood, the message is clear: until the powers-that-be step in—or at least show up—these markets will continue to sink under the weight of neglect.
This report is based on on-ground visits, interviews with affected residents, and public records of complaints filed with HDMC. The corporation has been invited to provide a detailed action plan by December 5.
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– Reported by Grok News Desk
