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Karnataka cabinet's decision to bifurcate the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) and establish a separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation (DMC) has set the process in motion. Residents of Dharwad, who have long advocated for an independent civic body citing unequal development, welcomed the move. However, the formation of the DMC will take at least two to three years due to procedural requirements and legal constraints. The current HDMC term ends in August 2026, and existing laws prohibit mid-term elections or immediate functionality of the DMC. Initial steps, including public notifications and objection submissions, are underway.
The Karnataka state cabinet has officially approved the bifurcation of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) to create a separate civic body for Dharwad. This move, long-awaited by Dharwad residents who claimed neglect in development initiatives, has sparked optimism about improved governance and infrastructure. Advertisement
However, experts note that the new Dharwad Municipal Corporation (DMC) will not be functional immediately, as current laws require the term of HDMC's existing elected corporators to end in August 2026. The Karnataka Municipal Corporation (KMC) Act does not allow for mid-term elections or the premature termination of corporators' terms. Additionally, the state government has already notified the ongoing terms for the mayor and deputy mayor, further delaying the operationalisation of the DMC.
The HDMC, established in 1962 with 67 wards, underwent delimitation in 2021, increasing the number of wards to 82-56 in Hubballi and 26 in Dharwad. While the HDMC is the second-largest civic body after Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), Dharwad's civic representation has remained limited. Residents are hopeful the DMC will address these disparities.
Initial formalities to establish the DMC include issuing public notifications and allowing objections, followed by the final state gazette notification. Though there is a demand to include 18 nearby villages in the new DMC limits, it is unlikely to happen immediately, given the 2021 delimitation outcomes.
HDMC Commissioner Ishwar Ullagaddi indicated that public objection invitations would be issued soon. Fortunately, Dharwad already has a central corporation office, a renovated meeting hall, and zonal offices, minimising the need for additional infrastructure investment.
The decision to establish a separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation represents a significant step towards addressing the long-standing demands of Dharwad residents. Despite these challenges, the availability of existing infrastructure and the government's structured approach to public objections provide a foundation for the smooth transition to a new civic body. Residents remain optimistic about the prospect of better governance and focused development under the DMC.
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