To ease the growing urban stress on Belagavi and move towards achieving Bruhat Belagavi Mahanagar (Greater Belagavi) status, the Belagavi Urban Development Authority (BUDA) has unveiled a master plan aimed at city expansion through new townships. As part of this plan, BUDA has issued a notification to incorporate 58 villages into the Urban Local Planning Area.
Expansion Blueprint
The master plan targets extending BUDA’s jurisdiction up to 50 km from the city’s core, projecting Belagavi’s geographical spread to reach 150–180 sq. km by 2050. Bringing these villages under the planning framework is expected to ease urban pressure.
Villages to be Included
The villages identified for inclusion are:
Honaga, Kalakamba, Muchandi, Ashte (Ashtaga), Nilji, Mutaga, Sambra, Balekundri K.H., Balekundri B.K., Honnihal, Mavinakatti, Basarikatti, Mastamaradi, Kondasakoppa, Dhamane, Yellur, Yaramala, Kuttalavadi, Navage, Hangaraga, Kallohola, Sulga, Gojaga, Mannur, Ambewadi (Japarvadi), Alataga, Kadoli, and Sindholli.
Planned Township Development
BUDA plans to develop one township in each cardinal direction around the city. Survey efforts are underway, collecting data on population, housing, and existing layouts from gram panchayats.
Regulatory Oversight
To regulate development, BUDA has mandated licensing for new layouts, industries, and cottage industries. However, reports indicate that some gram panchayats are granting permissions in violation of these norms. BUDA has cautioned that strict measures will be enforced to address such actions.
More Wards for Belagavi City Corporation
With the city’s population reaching 7,67,000 — a 1.9% rise since 2022 — the government plans to restructure ward boundaries and increase the number of Belagavi City Corporation wards from 58 to around 90 by merging nearby villages and adjusting for population growth.
