Terming the deicision on bifurcation of Hubballi Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC) as unscientific, Hubballi Dharwad Metropolitan City Forum has said that bifurcation would mean loss to both twin cities particularly Dharwad and that the decision on the bifurcation had been taken by the elected representatives keeping the citizens in the dark.

Addressing reporters here on Friday, the forum coordinator and High Court advocate Arun Charantimath said that on the issue of bifurcation, the people of Dharwad became emotional and narrow-minded.

“The bifurcation will cause more damage to Dharwad than it will provide any benefit. We failed to think about the subsequent developments. And even the elected representatives did not hold an elaborate discussion on the issue with associations, organisations and general public before sending proposal,” he contended.

Mr. Charantimath said that as the HDMC, with over 10 lakh population and the second biggest municipal corporation after Bengaluru in Karnataka, it had the potential to be developed as a metropolitan city and consequently more funds would be allocated. “With scores of colleges, universities, IIT, IIIT, industries, the twin cities have the potential for development. If we step forward based on emotions we have a lot to lose. Because of the narrow mindedness of the political leaders, we should not get divided,” he said.

The form spokesperson Santosh Nargund said that the HDMC was now categorised under B grade, and bifurcation would mean that the twin cities would be downgraded to C grade. “This will automatically mean reduction in employees’ salaries, incentives and other benefits. However if the twin cities get upgraded to ‘A’ category, automatically the benefits will increase. Being united will bring more benefits”, he claimed.

Mr. Nargund argued that bifurcation would mean more loss to Dharwad. He also claimed that the demand for bifurcation was more because of political bickering and the general public was not interested in it.

He said that the forum was launching an awareness campaign on remaining united and also about benefits of becoming metropolitan city. Citizens would also be sensitised about the disadvantages and losses of bifurcation, he said.

Industrialist Jagadish Hiremath said that compared to other States where a minimum of eight to ten cities were developed in terms of industries and infrastructure, Karnataka did not have such cities which had witnessed development at the expected level. Hubballi Dharwad stood a good chance of becoming a metropolitan city and the people should realise it and oppose the bifurcation move, he said adding that extensive awareness programmes would be conducted on the issue.

Former Mayor Hanumanth Dambal warned that if final notification was issued without consulting all the stakeholders, then they would be forced to approach the court on the issue. The forum members Vikas Soppin, Lingaraj Dharwadshettar, Dilip Gotrale, K.S. Patil, Vijay Guntral and others were present.

Published - July 25, 2026 07:16 pm IST