Latest StoriesRegulatory

Belagavi cancels PIDs of 31 illegal buildings, probes officials

BELAGAVI: The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has revoked Property Identification Numbers (PIDs) for 31 unauthorized buildings, leading to alarm among residents of similar projects. On April 24, BCC commissioner Kartik M issued two separate orders, cancelling 17 PIDs in one instance and 14 in another. The affected properties are apartments within two complexes located in Ward No. 9, built on lands acquired through Rs 100 stamp paper agreements that lack valid registration. This action has intensified fears among owners of buildings on unregistered sites, who allegedly received PIDs through collusion with civic officials. Both complexes are part of the Belagavi…

Latest StoriesResidential

KHB Unveils New Residential Layout on 92 Acres in Belagavi

Representative AI image BELAGAVI: The Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) is advancing plans for a new residential scheme in Honnihal village, located approximately 18 km from the city, spanning 92 acres and 7 guntas of land. The proposal has been submitted to the government, and public notification will follow pending project approval. The last residential layout developed by KHB was Devaraj Urs Colony in Basavan Kudachi nearly ten years ago. This new initiative aims to meet the increasing housing demand in the city by providing affordable options and enhancing public infrastructure. The KHB has earmarked land in Survey Nos. 43/1 to…

IndustryLatest Stories

Belagavi Civic Body’s Illegal Construction Crackdown Raises Accountability

BELAGAVI: On Thursday, the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) ramped up its efforts against illegal constructions, initiating a partial demolition of a four-storey building in the bustling Maruti Galli area. The operation, carried out with JCB machinery, signifies a notable intensification in the enforcement of regulations against unauthorized structures in the city. The demolition captured significant public interest, drawing large crowds as sections of the building were dismantled. While many locals applauded the enforcement as a necessary assertion of civic oversight, it has also sparked controversy and raised concerns regarding governance, due process, and accountability within the urban local body. A…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Belagavi civic body raises ₹18 crore in 20 days’ tax collection

BELAGAVI: The Belagavi City Corporation (BMC) has seen a promising start in its property tax collections for the current financial year, amassing Rs 18.12 crore from April 1 to April 20, thanks to a 5% early payment rebate. This strong collection in just 20 days significantly enhances the corporation’s revenue base at the year’s outset. Officials anticipate that collections will accelerate through the end of April, as they typically spike in the final week of the month. The 5% rebate is available from April 1 to 30, encouraging taxpayers to settle their dues promptly. Civic officials have observed a noticeable…

Latest StoriesResidential

Karnataka to Create Private-Style Layouts for SC/ST Groups

BELAGAVI: The state government has launched the ‘Buddha, Basava, Ambedkar Site Allotment Scheme’ to create residential layouts comparable to private developments. The scheme aims to develop fully serviced layouts with complete infrastructure, providing residential sites to individuals from Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) throughout the state. During the announcement, Public Works and Belagavi district in-charge Minister Satish Jarkiholi shared that the initiative will commence as a pilot project spanning 1,000 acres. After paying tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s statue on his birth anniversary at Dr. B R Ambedkar Park in Belagavi, the minister emphasized that this is a…

Latest StoriesResidential

40% of Belagavi Property Owners Miss Tax Payments

BELAGAVI: A troubling trend is emerging in Belagavi city, where nearly 40% of property owners have not settled their property tax dues for the 2025-26 financial year, raising crucial concerns about both revenue recovery and administrative efficiency. According to insiders at the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC), the city has 166,178 registered properties. Out of these, property tax dues have only been cleared for 95,829 properties. This includes defaulters from various sectors, such as private residences, businesses, educational institutions, and even government establishments. Despite assertions of financial discipline and efforts to enhance revenue collection, BCC only gathered ₹70.8 crore in property…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Belagavi Property Tax Growth Stalls Despite Building Boom

BELAGAVI: Despite the rapid expansion of Belagavi city, the collection of property taxes has not kept up, raising concerns about the financial management of the city corporation. As of March 31, there are 165,958 properties across 58 wards in the city, with an estimated addition of 10,000 to 15,000 new properties each year. However, this growth has not resulted in a corresponding increase in civic revenue. In the fiscal year 2025-26, the city corporation collected ₹70.8 crore in property tax, a slight increase from ₹69.5 crore in 2024-25, falling significantly short of the ₹89 crore target. Officials have indicated that…

InfrastructureLatest Stories

Belagavi: Probe launched into 10-storey building violations

BELAGAVI: The city commissioner of Belagavi, Karthik K, has initiated an investigation into possible irregularities concerning a ten-story private building under construction in Shivaji Nagar, near the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) office. The inquiry will focus on alleged building code violations and the issuance of property identification (PID) numbers. The project is under scrutiny for potential non-compliance with essential regulatory standards, including minimum road widths, required setbacks, floor area ratios, fire safety clearances, structural stability certifications, environmental approvals, and parking requirements. The controversy has escalated amid claims that construction began without securing the necessary approvals. The perceived inaction from the…

Latest StoriesRegulatory

Belagavi: BCC’s Property Tax Hits ₹70.8 Crore, Still Short of Goal

BELAGAVI: The Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) collected ₹70.8 crore in property tax for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a slight rise of ₹1.3 crore from the ₹69.5 crore collected in 2024-25. Despite this marginal increase, the civic body again fell short of its revenue target. The revenue department aimed for ₹78 crore this year, in addition to ₹11.4 crore from the previous year, resulting in a total target of ₹89.4 crore, which was not achieved. Officials, including City Corporation Commissioner Kartik M and Revenue Deputy Commissioner Sidhu Hulloli, made extensive efforts to boost collections. Multiple review meetings were conducted, specific…

Latest StoriesResidential

Karnataka’s Tier-II Buyers Boost Duplex Apartment Demand

HUBBALLI: Duplex apartments, once regarded as a luxury exclusive to major metropolitan areas, are gaining ground in cities like Hubballi, Belagavi, and Kalaburagi. While Bengaluru has traditionally been the leader in this trend, other cities are now reshaping urban living through duplex homes. By 2026, numerous developers are committing to these constructions in response to increasing client demand. Reports indicate a steady rise in buyer interest, prompting a receptive response from the real estate sector. In capital cities, lucrative rental yields motivate this trend, whereas tier-2 cities are seeing a growing preference for duplex units primarily for personal use. Pradeep…