Key roads, junctions in twin cities are unsafe places after dusk

HUBBALLI: A string of robberies reported on the thoroughfare has given the Gadag Road the dubious distinction of being a road where travel after dusk is largely an unsafe exercise. With gangs of highway robbers on the prowl on the road, many motorists have lost valuables and cash during commute on the thoroughfare. Notwithstanding the arrest of some of the robbers, motorists remain apprehensive about using Gadag Road after dusk. Worse still, in the aftermath of the horrific Hyderabad rape and murder incident, legitimate concerns are being raised about safety for women on the arterial road.
A visit to Gadag Road by TOI after dusk found that the thoroughfare, which has for long been associated with violent notoriety, was poorly illuminated, which has drawn highway robbers in hordes. Residents in localities along the road pointed out that the arrest of one gang of road robbers provided only temporary relief, since another group took to prowling the streets soon after. Although streetlight poles have been erected on a significant portion of the road, the stretch between the railway overbridge and the ITC Godown is visibly dark, while defunct bulbs that have not been replaced have resulted in several other stretches being scantily-lit.
In South Hubballi, Gabbur Cross on National Highway-4, by dint of its isolated location on the outskirts is yet another blackspot. The junction, used by residents of Old Hubballi who travel to and from Haveri, Mundagod, Tadas, Shigganov and Davanegere, is a hub of activity throughout the day. More importantly, it saves Old Hubballi residents a considerable amount of time since those travelling to other towns and districts can save considerable time by boarding and alighting buses at the junction, thereby saving them the hassle of going to the Old Bus Stand, which is a considerable distance away. However, the horrific rape of a minor girl by a gang of miscreants near the junction in January turned the spotlight on the lack of safety at the spot.
Its isolation has resulted in the junction becoming a den for miscreants, who can be spotted prowling on the highway. Consequently, many regular commuters have stopped boarding and alighting at the junction. Many are riding the bus all the way till New English School or the Old Bus Stand, while women have switched to trains, which they feel is a lot safer.
Sebastian, who works at a private employee, recalled an incident near Cotton Market wherein a gang of miscreants tried to lure an unsuspecting woman asking for directions into a trap. “I was returning home from work at around 11.30pm. I decided to go around KIMS to reach Chennamma Circle, and in Cotton Market, I spotted this gang of miscreants trying to mislead a woman. I decided to drop her off at Old Bus Stand,” Sebastian said.
Vijaykumar, an employee at a printing press, pointed out that the BRTS lanes, deserted after 11.30pm, had turned into a sanctuary for miscreants. “Not once have I noticed a patrolling vehicle on the stretch. I have seen youngsters performing stunts on their bikes, and using the road as a party spot,” said Vijaykumar, adding that commuting on the Hubballi-Dharwad Road was an exercise fraught with peril.
Old Hubballi residents have appealed to police to post more personnel around Gabbur Cross so as to ensure their security.
Hubballi police commissioner R Dileep admitted the need to step up vigilance in areas that they had identified as vulnerable. “We have intensified patrolling, and going further, we will increase police presence in these vulnerable areas. Residents must not hesitate to raise an alarm when they think they are in peril. Hubballi-Dharwad police will come to their rescue,” Dileep told TOI.