In an incident reflecting growing anger over illegal waste disposal, residents of Khadarwadi village near Belagavi caught an autorickshaw driver allegedly dumping garbage by the roadside on Saturday morning. The villagers confronted him and compelled him to reload the waste into his vehicle before asking him to leave, sending a clear warning against littering.
Caught dumping waste near Khadarwadi road
The episode took place on the main road leading to Khadarwadi in Belagavi taluk and district, an area where roadside dumping has become a recurring issue. Villagers said the autorickshaw was carrying household waste, including leftover food and plastic, which the driver tried to discard along the road.
Alert residents quickly stopped the vehicle and questioned the driver. It was then learnt that the garbage had reportedly been transported from Tilakwadi in Belagavi city.
Opposition over proposed garbage depot intensifies
Khadarwadi, situated on the outskirts of Belagavi, has been witnessing protests over a reported proposal to set up a garbage depot on nearby grazing land. Villagers have expressed concern over possible environmental and health impacts.
Against this backdrop, repeated dumping of waste by people from Belagavi and surrounding areas has further angered locals. Accumulated garbage along the roadside has led to foul odour and unhygienic conditions, causing distress to residents and activists.
Activist warns against future dumping
Local social activist Rakesh Patil was present during the confrontation. He said vigilant villagers prevented a major dumping attempt and claimed that much of the waste being discarded in Khadarwadi originates from outside the village.
Issuing a warning, Patil said anyone found dumping garbage in the area would be made to collect it themselves. He also appealed to residents of Belagavi city and nearby villages not to use Khadarwadi as a dumping ground.
“We are already opposing the proposed garbage depot. Outsiders must stop turning our village into a waste site,” he said.
Zero tolerance towards illegal waste disposal
Villagers making the driver reload the garbage into his autorickshaw underscored their firm stand against irresponsible dumping. The incident highlights increasing grassroots resistance to environmental neglect in the peri-urban areas of Belagavi.
As Khadarwadi continues to oppose plans of becoming a waste hub, the incident serves as a caution to those attempting to dispose of garbage illegally.
