‘Keep Hubballi and Dharwad united, make it a metropolitan city’

Hubballi

The proposed bifurcation of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) has sparked a spirited debate across North Karnataka, with supporters citing Dharwad's development needs and opponents warning of long-term economic and administrative consequences. As the newly formed Save Brand HDMC Forum campaigns to keep the twin-city corporation intact, News Trail spoke with its key voices—Advocate Arun Charantimath and entrepreneur Jagadish Hiremath—about the legal, financial and developmental implications of the proposal and their vision for a united Hubballi-Dharwad. An interview with Arun Charantimath: The Fight to Save Brand HDMC

Mr. Charantimath, the agitation demanding an exclusive municipal corporation for Dharwad has gained momentum recently. However, your organization, the Save Brand HDMC Forum, has just been formed to oppose this split. Why react now?
Arun Charantimath: It is quite simple. First, as a lawyer, I can tell you that under Sections 3 and 4 of the Municipal Corporation Act 1976, breaking up the corporation is legally invalid. Second, this entire agitation was initially driven by emotional sentiment from a small group, not the collective view of Dharwad's residents. Unfortunately, politicians from both the Congress and the BJP jumped in, passed resolutions without applying their minds to the issue, and turned it into a political game.

They never bothered to consult the broader public, including workers, youth, and women. We didn't intervene earlier because we assumed such an illogical demand wouldn't move forward. But when the agitators started giving government strict deadlines to finalize the issue, we were forced to mobilize and protect the brand of our twin cities.

The proponents of the split argue that Dharwad is neglected and that Hubballi gets the "lion's share" of development funds. How do you respond to the claim that Dharwad has been treated unfairly in the allocation of resources?
Arun Charantimath: That is a narrow-minded argument and the view of only a few individuals who have come out to protest. The reality is that Dharwad has successfully secured major institutions, including the High Court Circuit Bench, an IIT, and an IIIT. Plenty of development has come our way. If there are any remaining disparities, it is the job of local MLAs and corporators to fight for those benefits and build the city's strength. Splitting the corporation and downgrading both Hubballi and Dharwad into smaller, C-category municipal corporations is entirely the wrong approach.

What exactly are the economic disadvantages of bifurcating the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation?
Arun Charantimath: Bifurcation will drastically reduce our political and economic strength. If split, Hubballi-Dharwad will lose its status as the second-largest urban center in Karnataka. This will invariably reduce us to the scale of smaller municipal corporations, allowing cities like Mangaluru and Mysuru to seize the opportunity to lure investors. 

So, what is the Save Brand HDMC Forum proposing as an alternative to this bifurcation?
Arun Charantimath: Instead of playing the "injustice card" and seeking a split, our elected representatives and residents should focus on long-term interests and demand that the State Government declare Hubballi-Dharwad a "Metropolitan City". Look at Maharashtra—they have 10 metropolitan cities. But in Karnataka, everyone only focuses on Bengaluru. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar is currently highlighting the need for a Greater Bengaluru, but it is illogical to push for that while simultaneously seeking to bifurcate HDMC. We need that same kind of developmental focus here. If we get Metropolitan City status, we can attract multinational companies and startups, much like international cities do.

What are your next steps to ensure the HDMC remains intact?
Arun Charantimath: We are actively gathering public opinion and sensitizing people on the advantages of keeping the HDMC intact. We have already submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Dharwad in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi, and the Chief Minister has promised to look into the issue. Furthermore, our forum has proposed constituting a committee headed by a former judge of the High Court of Karnataka to properly review this entire proposal. Our ultimate goal is to see Hubballi-Dharwad grow together, rather than being broken into pieces.