Hubballi, June 22: In a strong push towards improving urban sanitation and civic discipline, Dharwad District In-Charge Minister Santosh Lad personally led a cleanliness drive across multiple localities in Hubballi on Saturday. In a rare display of hands-on leadership, the minister picked up a broom and joined pourakarmikas in cleaning garbage-strewn areas, stormwater drains, and vacant plots.
The drive covered key neighbourhoods including Siddaroodh Math, Ganesh Nagar, Anand Nagar Circle, Ramalingeshwar Nagar, Gandhinagar, Arunodaya Nagar, and Keshwapur. The minister’s direct involvement aimed at sending a clear message to both officials and citizens on the importance of shared responsibility in maintaining hygiene.
“This is not a photo opportunity or a ceremonial event,” Minister Lad stated. “This initiative is to awaken civic sense among residents and instil accountability among officials. A clean city is not just a municipal task—it’s a collective civic duty.”
During the inspection, the minister revealed that 622 blackspots—areas where garbage is frequently dumped—have been identified across Hubballi. He directed the municipal authorities to clean these areas regularly and impose penalties on violators. “Offenders must be identified and fined to prevent repeat violations,” he added.
He also highlighted a concerning figure—over 82,000 vacant plots within Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation limits, many of which lack compound walls or fencing and have become dumping grounds. Site owners have been given a week’s time to clean up their plots, failing which legal action, including heavy fines and property seizure, may follow.
Minister Lad further instructed officials to conduct daily field visits, install GPS tracking in official vehicles for transparency, and launch focused campaigns with NSS volunteers and civic groups to enhance public participation in the cleanliness mission.