Belagavi city corporation has passed a resolution to facilitate transfer of civilian areas from Military cantonment in the old city areas. This follows an instruction from the state government to all the cantonment cities in the State.

The issue was discussed at a recent meeting of the Finance Standing Committee. Members adopted a resolution to facilitate the transfer of residential colonies, markets, bungalows, grounds, and open spaces within the Cantonment area to the Corporation. This is different from an earlier BCC decision to take over only residential areas in the cantonment.

Committee chairperson Netravati Bhagwat, Mayor Mangesh Pawar, Deputy Mayor Vani Joshi, and others were present in the meeting.

This follows a meeting with Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Roshan, who communicated to the officers a decision of the State government. The State government has asked all urban local bodies to seek the decision to transfer all components of the civilian-use areas in military cantonment areas. Around 1763 acres of land in Belagavi city are managed by the cantonment board, which is distinct from the BCC. However, with the BCC seeking transfer of all civil areas, a significant portion of the city will be administered by the BCC in the future, after the transfer is affected.

Meanwhile, the members of the Belgaum Cantonment Residents’ Welfare Association (BCRWA) have urged the state government to build the new Deputy Commissioner’s office on the 102 acres of the abandoned military farm in the cantonment, rather than far off places like Suvarna Soudha, Kanabargi or Hindalga as is being considered now.

Ministers Satish Jarkiholi and Laxmi Hebbalkar have recently inspected these sites, along with the present DC office premises. The abandoned military farm lies in the heart of the city, near Bogarves circle. It would be well suited for the purpose of the DC office. The BCRWA had earlier suggested the abandoned Military Dairy Farm as a suitable site, an idea appreciated by the Defence Secretary, it mentioned.

The present DC office area is overcrowded and inaccessible during public protests. The other shortlisted locations are remote and far from the city. Relocating the DC office to far-flung areas is impractical. It is better to utilize the 102 acres of centrally located, vacant land of the former Military Dairy Farm. The defence ministry is willing to transfer the land to the State government under the “Equal Value Exchange Scheme. It can have full full-fledged government office complex with tree-lined roads, ample parking, and a maidan for public gatherings. If the government delays, private buyers might develop the land into hotels and malls. The State government should negotiate with the Union Government for approval for the transfer, the letter further stated.

The association office bearers Omarfarooq Nawab, Ranjan Shetti, Nitin Khot and others have signed the letter.