Declare Hubballi-Dharwad as a Metropolitan City
The Issue
Hubballi and Dharwad are not just two cities on a map—they are one community that has grown together over many generations. Our families live, work, study, and do business across both cities every day. Together, Hubballi-Dharwad has become the largest urban centre in North Karnataka and the second-largest urban region in Karnataka after Bengaluru.
Our twin cities are home to respected educational institutions, thriving businesses, industries, hospitals, IT companies, and a rich cultural heritage. People from across North Karnataka come here for education, employment, healthcare, and trade.
Today, Hubballi-Dharwad has a population of more than 1.3 million people and all the qualities needed to become Karnataka's next Metropolitan City. Metropolitan status can help bring integrated local and regional planning, faster development, more investment, and more opportunities for our youth.
Karnataka has no metropolitan cities besides Bengaluru, while Maharashtra has 10, Gujarat 4 and Tamil Nadu 3. Developing Hubballi-Dharwad as a Metropolitan City can create a model to develop more metropolitan cities across Karnataka and reduce excessive dependence on Bengaluru and the risks attached to it.
Metropolitan status is not just about a new title. It can help improve the daily lives of people living in Hubballi-Dharwad by:
- Better roads and public transport.
- Improved water supply, drainage, and civic services.
- More industries, businesses, and investment.
- More jobs and career opportunities for local youth.
- Better planning for future growth.
- Stronger recognition for Hubballi-Dharwad at the state and national level.
- Greater focus on the development of North Karnataka.
We believe that the future of Hubballi and Dharwad lies in growing together, not apart.
Therefore, we respectfully request the Government of Karnataka to:
- Withdraw the notification issued to split the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC)
- Form an expert committee comprising legal, administrative, economic and urban policy specialists to study the long-term growth opportunities of the twin cities and recommend a blueprint to the Government of Karnataka to develop Hubballi-Dharwad as a Metropolitan City
- Avoid taking any steps that may weaken or delay the vision of a united Metropolitan City for Hubballi-Dharwad.
Hubballi and Dharwad have always progressed together. By staying united and planning for the future, we can create more opportunities for our children, strengthen North Karnataka, and build a city that can stand alongside the best urban centres in the country.
If you share this vision, please sign this petition and support the demand for Metropolitan Status for Hubballi-Dharwad.
United Hubballi-Dharwad. Stronger North Karnataka. Better Future for All.
1
The Issue
Hubballi and Dharwad are not just two cities on a map—they are one community that has grown together over many generations. Our families live, work, study, and do business across both cities every day. Together, Hubballi-Dharwad has become the largest urban centre in North Karnataka and the second-largest urban region in Karnataka after Bengaluru.
Our twin cities are home to respected educational institutions, thriving businesses, industries, hospitals, IT companies, and a rich cultural heritage. People from across North Karnataka come here for education, employment, healthcare, and trade.
Today, Hubballi-Dharwad has a population of more than 1.3 million people and all the qualities needed to become Karnataka's next Metropolitan City. Metropolitan status can help bring integrated local and regional planning, faster development, more investment, and more opportunities for our youth.
Karnataka has no metropolitan cities besides Bengaluru, while Maharashtra has 10, Gujarat 4 and Tamil Nadu 3. Developing Hubballi-Dharwad as a Metropolitan City can create a model to develop more metropolitan cities across Karnataka and reduce excessive dependence on Bengaluru and the risks attached to it.
Metropolitan status is not just about a new title. It can help improve the daily lives of people living in Hubballi-Dharwad by:
- Better roads and public transport.
- Improved water supply, drainage, and civic services.
- More industries, businesses, and investment.
- More jobs and career opportunities for local youth.
- Better planning for future growth.
- Stronger recognition for Hubballi-Dharwad at the state and national level.
- Greater focus on the development of North Karnataka.
We believe that the future of Hubballi and Dharwad lies in growing together, not apart.
Therefore, we respectfully request the Government of Karnataka to:
- Withdraw the notification issued to split the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC)
- Form an expert committee comprising legal, administrative, economic and urban policy specialists to study the long-term growth opportunities of the twin cities and recommend a blueprint to the Government of Karnataka to develop Hubballi-Dharwad as a Metropolitan City
- Avoid taking any steps that may weaken or delay the vision of a united Metropolitan City for Hubballi-Dharwad.
Hubballi and Dharwad have always progressed together. By staying united and planning for the future, we can create more opportunities for our children, strengthen North Karnataka, and build a city that can stand alongside the best urban centres in the country.
If you share this vision, please sign this petition and support the demand for Metropolitan Status for Hubballi-Dharwad.
United Hubballi-Dharwad. Stronger North Karnataka. Better Future for All.
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Petition created on 30 July 2026