Marking 175 years since the formation of Belagavi’s civic body, the General Meeting of the Belagavi City Corporation approved the drafting of a ₹500 crore development proposal, which will be sent to both the State and Central governments for funding. Mayor Mangesh Pawar directed officials to prepare the proposal promptly, while MLA Abhay Patil assured full support and follow-up to secure ₹250 crore each from both governments.
The Belagavi City Municipal Corporation, originally known as the Belgaum Municipal Committee, was established on 1 December 1851—well before the formation of the Bombay Municipal Corporation in 1872. It was the first municipal body formed in the then Bombay Karnataka region and initially governed a population of 23,115 with an annual income of ₹35,460.
In the decade leading up to 1901, Belgaum Corporation had an average income of ₹50,000. By 1903–04, this rose to ₹54,500, with major revenue sources including Octroi (₹22,000), conservancy rates (₹9,000), and property taxes (₹4,600). Expenditures during that period were about ₹50,000, covering administration, public safety, sanitation, infrastructure, and education. The cantonment funds also added approximately ₹25,000 in average receipts.
Today, functioning under the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, the Belagavi City Corporation is taking a bold step into the future while proudly honouring its pioneering past.