The long-standing connectivity woes of the Gamanagatti industrial area in Hubballi are finally being addressed with the active construction of a crucial service road linking it directly to the Hubballi-Dharwad bypass. This development marks a significant turnaround for an industrial zone that, despite its proximity to the major bypass, had been forced to rely on a cumbersome 4-kilometre detour via the Tarihal industrial estate for years.
A Long-Awaited Infrastructure Solution
The new road under construction is approximately 1.5 kilometres long and seven metres wide. This project directly responds to the persistent demands from local industrialists who faced severe operational challenges due to the area's isolation. Prakash Dandur, a management committee member of the North Karnataka Small Scale Industries Association, highlighted the profound impact of the poor connectivity. He revealed that transport vehicles were often reluctant to offer services, and even the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) found it difficult to operate city buses in the area.
"Labourers hesitated to take up work since it was isolated from all adjacent areas," Dandur told sources. He credited Dharwad Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu GRJ for taking a keen interest, visiting the site twice and prioritizing the issue. "Whenever we approached her, she immediately attended to our grievances by instructing officials to do the work on a priority basis," he added.
Economic Impact and Future Demands
The lack of proper road infrastructure had tangible economic consequences. Dandur pointed out that industries struggled to meet tough competition, some shut down permanently, and larger investors hesitated to establish units in Gamanagatti. With the new road, there is renewed hope for improvement in the next two to three years.
Another segment of the local road network has already seen upgrades. Ajay Patil, a member of the Green Tech Industrial Park Association's management committee, confirmed the completion of road improvements between the Petrol Pump and labourers' quarters. Previously a 10-foot mud road that turned slushy in the rains, its upgrade has already eased the movement of industrial transport vehicles and shortened goods delivery times.
However, Patil noted that internal roads are now damaged due to works by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), and officials have assured that the construction of a double road joining the bypass will be taken up soon.
Administrative Push and Pending Issues
Deputy Commissioner Divya Prabhu detailed the administrative efforts behind the project, stating she convened four to five meetings, including ones with a Union Minister. The first step was constructing a retaining wall at the bypass, which previously did not exist. A new demand from industrialists for a 15-metre wall is pending, as it involves land acquisition and budgetary sanctions between the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
"We are trying to resolve it in Bengaluru with the help of district minister Santosh Lad," Prabhu said. Hubballi-Dharwad West MLA Arvind Bellad emphasized the broader vision, stating that connecting Gamanagatti from the city end (Navanagar side) would boost the economy of the entire North Karnataka region and urged the state government to facilitate the initiative.
This infrastructure development is poised to transform Gamanagatti from an isolated industrial pocket into a well-connected hub, potentially reversing its fortunes and attracting fresh investment to the region.
