Residents celebrated the Karnataka government’s decision to create a separate municipal corporation for Dharwad by bursting crackers | Photo credit: Special arrangement
Members of the Dharwad Separate Municipal Corporation Struggle and Development Forum have warned of an agitation if a separate urban local body is not formed soon for the city of Dharwad in north Karnataka.
According to forum members, officials say the process of carving out a separate municipal corporation for Dharwad is now in its final stages. But if it is not approved and brought into force immediately, the people of Dharwad will be forced to start another round of agitation.
“The state government and elected representatives must show serious interest to approve the long-pending demand of the people of Dharwad. Otherwise, the next phase of citizen protests will be inevitable,” the forum said.
“A story is being spread that if Hubballi–Dharwad Municipal Corporation remains united without bifurcation, more funds will be allocated. This is far from the truth. In fact, if Hubballi and Dharwad function as separate municipal corporations, each city would receive separate allocations under different schemes, allowing for faster development,” the forum said.
“The proposal for a separate corporation for Dharwad is currently being discussed at the cabinet level and the final announcement is being delayed at the governor’s level for political reasons,” the forum claimed.
According to the forum, multiple funds have been secured for Hubballi in the past under various schemes. “Even now, with similar intentions, the idea of not bifurcating Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation is being promoted,” the forum claimed. adding: “However, elected representatives lack the foresight to recognize this.”
The statement alleged that the elected representatives failed to recognize the discriminatory treatment faced by the city of Dharwad and the daily administrative inconveniences faced by its residents. Unless separate corporations were created for the two cities, she warned, development setbacks would continue. She emphasized that only a vision that transcends politics can ensure the balanced development of both cities.
Published – 16 Feb 2026 13:36 IST