Over 50 stalls adjoining the municipal hospital in Old Hubballi, that had become a hurdle for free movement of ambulance and other vehicles to the hospital, were cleared in a demolition drive led by the Municipal Commissioner on Wednesday.
According to the authorities, Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) wanted to demolish 53 stalls that were in a dilapidated condition and also obstructed free movement of ambulance and other vehicles to the municipal hospital in Old Hubballi.
However, shopkeepers running their small businesses approached the court in 2018 opposing the move even as they declined to vacate the stalls for demolition.
The legal process had stretched for years and recently, the court ruled in favour of the decision of the Municipal Corporation.
On Wednesday, Municipal Commissioner Rudresh Ghali himself led the demolition drive to clear the old structures.
Notwithstanding the opposition and argument by a few shopkeepers, the demolition drive was carried out under police protection.
The Municipal Commissioner told them that they are acting according to the court order and asked them to cooperate.
Subsequently, in the demolition drive, all the old structures adjoining the municipal hospital were razed. The work on clearing the debris is likely to take a few more days, officials said.
Published - June 17, 2026 10:33 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
