Abandoned Health Department Quarters In Ankola Raise Safety Concerns Among Residents

Residents of Hattikeri village in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district have urged authorities to take immediate action against abandoned government staff quarters that they claim have turned into a hub for illegal and antisocial activities. The unused buildings, located near the Primary Health Centre, have become a growing concern for local families, especially women and children.

The old residential quarters were originally built to accommodate doctors and healthcare staff working at the Hattikeri Primary Health Centre. Over the years, the buildings were left vacant and received little maintenance. Today, only damaged walls remain, with roofs collapsed and thick vegetation surrounding the structures.

According to local residents, the deserted buildings are frequently used by unidentified people, particularly during the day and at night. They allege that the premises have become a gathering place for drinking and other unlawful activities, with empty liquor bottles scattered across the site. Villagers also claim that people from outside the area regularly visit the location, creating an atmosphere of fear.

The issue has become more serious because schools, colleges and an anganwadi centre are situated close to the abandoned property. Parents say they feel unsafe while accompanying their children through the area, as the neglected buildings have become difficult to monitor.

Local resident Mohini shared her concerns, stating that antisocial activities have become common inside the abandoned structures. She alleged that groups frequently gather there and that previous incidents of violent crime have already been reported in the surrounding area. She warned that the situation could become more dangerous if immediate action is not taken.

Villagers said they have repeatedly informed local officials and have also sought the attention of Health Minister U T Khader. They are demanding that the unsafe buildings either be demolished or redeveloped before the situation worsens further.

The Health Department owns more than 15 acres of land around the Primary Health Centre. Residents believe the valuable government property should not remain abandoned and have suggested constructing new accommodation for healthcare workers or establishing a modern district hospital on the site to better serve the region.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, villagers have warned that if authorities fail to clear the premises and remove the unsafe structures, they may organise collectively to demolish the abandoned buildings themselves. They insist that urgent intervention is necessary to restore safety and make productive use of the government land.