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The Karnataka cabinet's recent decision to create a separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation has been hailed as a victory by the residents who have been advocating for it for over a decade. The apolitical movement led by the Agitation Committee for Separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation, supported by local organisations and political parties, has finally succeeded. This decision is expected to enhance civic amenities in Dharwad. Previous demands, including a 2021 meeting with former Chief Minister Bommai, have been long-neglected, but now, the creation of a new corporation promises significant improvements, especially in terms of infrastructure and development.
The recent decision by the Karnataka cabinet to establish a separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation has been warmly welcomed by the citizens of Dharwad. This move is seen as a long-awaited New Year's gift to the people who have been campaigning for this change for over a decade. Advertisement
The Agitation Committee for a Separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation, which spearheaded the movement, had the support of various political parties and organisations. This non-partisan initiative was driven by the desire to improve civic amenities in the city, and now, their demands have finally been met. Committee members have expressed their gratitude to the cabinet for approving their request, with Dharwad (Rural) MLA Vinay Kulkarni thanking Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for fulfilling the longstanding demand.
The call for a separate municipal corporation has been a long-standing issue, with citizens feeling that Dharwad has suffered from neglect in terms of infrastructure and development. Over the years, multiple delegations have met with successive chief ministers to push for this change. Notably, in August 2021, a delegation of prominent citizens met with former Chief Minister Bommai, submitting a memorandum to bifurcate the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC). At that time, Bommai had acknowledged that Dharwad deserved to be separated from HDMC, raising hopes that the demand would be addressed. However, no concrete action followed.
The HDMC, formed in 1962 by merging the two cities, has always been considered unbalanced, with 44 wards in Hubballi and only 23 in Dharwad. Following recent delimitation, the number of wards has increased to 55 in Hubballi and 27 in Dharwad.
The Agitation Committee has repeatedly argued that Dharwad has been treated unfairly when it comes to developmental projects. With the city's growing educational sector and population, infrastructure issues remain severe, with nearly 75% of the city lacking a proper drainage system and only five wards benefiting from 24X7 water supply, according to Manoj Patil, a senior journalist and committee member.
Under the KMC Act, any city with a population exceeding four lakh is eligible for a municipal corporation, and Dharwad meets this criterion. The bifurcation of HDMC will also benefit both cities, with each set to receive an annual grant of INR 100 crore.
The creation of a separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation marks a significant milestone for the city, offering hope for better infrastructure and civic services. This decision addresses the long-standing grievances of Dharwad's citizens, who have faced neglect in the past. With the city meeting the criteria for a municipal corporation, both Dharwad and Hubballi stand to benefit from increased annual grants. The successful agitation demonstrates the power of citizen movements and highlights the importance of addressing local governance issues to ensure balanced development.
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