As a fire at a garbage dump in Dharwad’s Hosayellapur led to the spread of toxic fumes in various localities suffocating residents, angry locals on Monday blocked the road demanding immediate action.
This is the second incident of fire at the dumping ground in Hosayellapur in less than 72 hours. Residents were forced to wear masks as the thick smoke billowing from the garbage spread to various places in Dharwad.
As the thick smoke spread to other locations, residents were forced to block the road near Toll Naka. They expressed their anger against the civic authorities who failed to take remedial action despite repeated reminders.
Localities including Hosayellapur, Yalakkishettar Colony, Jannat Nagar, Daneshwari Nagar, Lakshmi Nagar, Vidyagiri and Malamaddi were engulfed in foul-smelling smoke, leaving residents gasping for fresh air.
Motorists traveling on Hubballi-Dharwad Road too faced problem due to poor visibility due to smoke.
Several residents pointed out that during the monsoon they have to endure the smell of rotting garbage, while in the summer they are forced to inhale toxic fumes.
Though the issue has been brought to the notice of local MLA Arvind Bellad, the issue remains unresolved, they said.
They warned that they would be forced to intensify their agitation if immediate remedial measures were not taken to resolve the recurring problem.
Almost a year ago, on 12 March 2025, residents staged a similar road blockade near Toll Naka on Hubballi Road to protest the same issue, followed by a series of memorandums submitted to various authorities.
The problem escalates in the summer, as the intense heat often causes fires in the garbage piles due to chemical reactions.
Published – 09 March 2026 21:30 IST
