Key Takeaway: The Hubballi-Dharwad civic body has flagged a funding deficit exceeding Rs 3,000 crore while the city manages rapid growth. Local MLAs from three constituencies are under pressure to deliver results before the 2028 Karnataka Assembly elections.

A City Growing Fast, Funded Too Slowly

Hubballi-Dharwad is the second largest urban agglomeration in Karnataka. It has an operational airport, a new IIT, a growing industrial base, and ambitions to become a hub for manufacturing and technology. Yet the Hubballi-Dharwad Mahanagara Palike (HDMP), the civic body responsible for the twin cities, is staring at a funding gap that has crossed Rs 3,000 crore.

The demands cover critical infrastructure: underground drainage, solid waste management, road widening, stormwater systems, and the maintenance of public spaces. Without adequate funding, the city’s physical foundations cannot keep up with its economic ambitions.

Three Constituencies, Three MLAs, One Responsibility

The twin cities are represented in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly through three constituencies: Hubli-Dharwad Central (held by Congress MLA Mahesh Tenginkai), Hubli-Dharwad East (a reserved constituency), and Hubli-Dharwad West. Together, these three MLAs carry the weight of advocating for the city’s interests in the state legislature.

The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government, now midway through its term with assembly elections due in 2028, faces growing criticism from North Karnataka leaders across party lines about perceived neglect of the region relative to Bengaluru and Mysuru.

The ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ Promise and Its Current State

Multiple state governments over the past decade have made variations of the same promise: to develop Karnataka beyond its capital city. The current administration has continued this narrative, pointing to the Dharwad Industrial Node and industrial corridor investments as proof of intent.

Critics argue that intent is not enough without proportional budget allocations and timely fund releases. The civic body’s Rs 3,000 crore demand is not a new ask. It has been sitting on the table for years, growing larger with each delay.

What Residents Should Watch

As the state budget cycle progresses through 2026, residents of Hubballi-Dharwad should watch for three specific signals: whether funds for the HDMP are released against pending demands, whether the Dharwad-Kittur-Belagavi rail project gets meaningful allocation movement, and whether the airport road and connecting infrastructure receive attention.

These are not abstract policy questions. They are the measures by which the political accountability of the twin cities’ representatives will be judged going into the 2028 campaign.