In a major relief to the financially strained Belagavi City Corporation (BCC), the 16th Finance Commission has approved a grant of ₹34.9 crore for the civic body.
The allocation comes at a crucial time, as the corporation has been facing a steady decline in funds received under the State Finance Commission, severely affecting ongoing development works in the city.
The newly sanctioned funds are expected to revive several stalled civic projects and inject fresh momentum into infrastructure development across Belagavi. Officials within the corporation have begun preparing a detailed action plan to ensure effective utilisation of the grant.
A major share of the allocation is likely to be directed towards road repair and improvement works, addressing one of the most pressing concerns for residents. In addition, funds may also be utilised to strengthen essential civic services such as water supply systems, drainage networks, and other basic infrastructure facilities. Sources indicate that corporators could receive ward-wise allocations, enabling them to take up local development works and resolve long-pending public grievances.
For the past few years, the BCC has been grappling with a severe financial crunch due to reduced inflow of State Finance Commission grants. The shortage of funds led to the stalling of multiple projects, triggering criticism from corporators, particularly members of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, who repeatedly urged the government not to curtail allocations.
The financial strain has also impacted contractors, with pending bills reportedly amounting to several crores, further slowing down project execution and adding to the city’s infrastructure challenges.
With this fresh infusion of funds, there is renewed optimism that key civic issues in Belagavi will be addressed and long-delayed development works will finally gain pace.
