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The long-standing demand for a separate municipal corporation for Dharwad, India, has finally been met. The Karnataka State Cabinet approved the bifurcation of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC), creating an independent municipal corporation for Dharwad. This decision, announced on Wednesday, followed years of advocacy and public pressure from Dharwad residents and activists who felt the city was being underserved compared to Hubballi within the existing HDMC structure. The celebration that erupted following the announcement underscores the significance of this event for the community.
The HDMC, established in 1962, encompassed both Hubballi and Dharwad, cities located approximately 20 kilometers apart. Over time, the perceived inequities in resource allocation and development between the two cities fueled the movement for separation. While the initial ward distribution was 44 for Hubballi and 23 for Dharwad, later delimitation resulted in 55 wards for Hubballi and 27 for Dharwad, further exacerbating the feeling of imbalance among Dharwad residents. This disparity in representation and resource allocation was a major catalyst for the sustained campaign for bifurcation.
The formal call for the HDMC's bifurcation was made during a municipal council meeting in February 2019. Local municipal councilors, cutting across party lines, voiced their support for the creation of a separate Dharwad corporation. This initiative gained significant traction, evolving into a full-fledged people's movement spearheaded by organizations such as the Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha. The 'Dharwad Separate Corporation Agitation Committee' played a pivotal role in sustaining the momentum, employing various tactics such as submitting memoranda and staging regular protests. Key figures within this committee included senior journalist Manojgouda Patil and writer Venkatesh Machakanur.
The agitation committee consistently highlighted alleged discrimination against Dharwad under successive state governments. While former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai expressed initial support for the demand, a concrete decision remained elusive during his tenure. However, the movement continued to gain momentum with the backing of influential figures including Dharwad Rural MLA Vinay Kulkarni, Hubballi-Dharwad West MLA Arvind Bellad, and Labour Minister and district in-charge Santosh Lad. This multi-pronged approach, combining grassroots activism with political lobbying, ultimately proved instrumental in securing the government's approval.
During the recent Winter Session in Belagavi, the issue was raised in the state legislature. MLA Arvind Bellad publicly voiced his support while MLA Vinay Kulkarni directly engaged with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, emphasizing the urgency of establishing a separate municipal corporation for Dharwad. This strategic intervention at the highest levels of government was a significant factor in achieving the desired outcome. The relentless efforts of the committee, and its successful navigation of the political landscape, finally resulted in the approval that the people of Dharwad had so eagerly awaited. MLA Vinay Kulkarni expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for granting the long-sought-after approval.
The committee believes the bifurcation will lead to more equitable distribution of resources between the twin cities, ensuring that both Hubballi and Dharwad receive appropriate funding for development projects. However, this decision has also spurred a parallel demand for the division of the Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA). Former Mayor Iresh Anchatageri, while thanking the Chief Minister, requested the inclusion of additional areas, including the High Court Bench area, under the new Dharwad corporation to facilitate comprehensive development. He also advocated for the creation of a separate Dharwad Development Authority to better manage and allocate funds, considering Dharwad's prominent educational institutions, including three universities, an IIT, and an IIIT.
Source: Demand for exclusive corporation for Dharwad gets fulfilled finally