Dharwad: The push by BJP leaders to stall the bifurcation of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) and the creation of a separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation has sparked sharp reactions, triggering a fresh debate. The HDMC, which had earlier passed a resolution supporting bifurcation following sustained public demand in Dharwad, is now reconsidering its stance. It plans to seek the formation of a Bruhat Hubballi-Dharwad Mahanagar Palike (BHDMP) on the lines of Greater Bengaluru Mahanagar Palike. Organisations backing a separate corporation for Dharwad have strongly condemned the move.
Arguments Against Bifurcation
BJP leaders opposing bifurcation argue that splitting the civic body would cost both Hubballi and Dharwad access to the Centre's special infrastructure grants for sewage and wastewater projects under the 16th Finance Commission. The commission has earmarked Rs 56,000 crore for cities with populations between 10 to 40 lakh for the 2026–2031 period.
Former mayor Iresh Anchatageri said bifurcation would be detrimental as "Neither city individually crosses the 10 lakh population mark," making them ineligible for the special grants. BJP MLC Pradeep Shettar has also written to the state government urging it to drop the proposal.
Counterarguments from Activists
However, agitation committee leader and former KAS officer Venkatesh Machakanur dismissed these claims, accusing BJP of misleading the public. He argued that no urban local body in Karnataka qualifies for the special infrastructure grants, as none fall within the 10 to 40 lakh population bracket based on the 2011 census. He further stated that the Centre has already listed eligible ULBs, and none from Karnataka feature in that list.
Official Clarification on Grant Eligibility
A senior official from the urban development department corroborated this view, confirming that HDMC is not among the beneficiaries of the Rs 56,000 crore grant. The official explained that eligibility hinges on a strict technical criterion: cities must have a population between 10 to 40 lakh as per the 2011 census and be explicitly included in the commission's annexure.
"Even though the combined population of Hubballi-Dharwad appears close to 10 lakh, its 2011 census figure is approximately 9.4 lakh—below the minimum threshold. The commission has relied strictly on the 2011 census and not on projections," the official clarified.
Machakanur added that while HDMC may not qualify for the special grant window, it continues to receive funds under general/basic grants and tied grants for water and sanitation. Out of Rs 18,483 crore sanctioned to Karnataka, HDMC has already received Rs 86 crore under these categories, he noted, and urged the authorities to prepare detailed plans to secure approvals and utilise the funds effectively.
The controversy has thus shifted focus from political claims to technical eligibility, raising questions over whether the bifurcation debate is being driven by facts or misinformation.
