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Hubli–Dharwad

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Hubli and Dharwad are twin cities located in the Indian state of Karnataka.

Hubli railway
Hubli railway

They function together as a single urban area known as a municipality. This group is the second-largest urban agglomeration in Karnataka, following the capital, Bangalore. While the two cities are separated by about 20 kilometres, they are managed by one body called the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC). This corporation covers an area spanning 45 different revenue villages. Hubli is situated southeast of Dharwad and serves as the primary commercial and business hub for North Karnataka. Meanwhile, Dharwad acts as the administrative headquarters for the region.

The economy of these twin cities is growing very quickly. Hubli-Dharwad is currently the third fastest-growing city and industrial hub in the state. In the Gokul Road and Tarihal regions of Hubli, there are more than 1,000 small and medium-sized industries. These businesses include manufacturing for machine tools, electrical goods, steel furniture, and food products. Other industries focus on rubber, leather, and tanning. To support this growth, the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce & Industry helps businesses reach their potential. Additionally, Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) were founded to provide regulated markets for farmers to sell their goods.

Transportation is a vital part of life in the twin cities. The Hubli-Dharwad Bus Rapid Transit System (HDBRTS) is a special project by the Government of Karnataka. This system uses a dedicated corridor to move buses quickly between Hubli and Dharwad. It includes segregated bus lanes and access-controlled stations to reduce traffic and air pollution. The system uses smart cards and bar-coded tickets for easy payment.

Hubballi Airport new Terminal
Hubballi Airport new Terminal

For air travel, Hubli Airport on Gokul Road serves the entire North Karnataka region. It is the third busiest airport in Karnataka and connects to 10 different destinations. In March 2020, it received an award for excellence under a government connectivity scheme.

The railway network in Hubli is incredibly significant. Hubli is the headquarters for the South Western Railway zone and the Hubli Division. The Hubli Division is one of the highest revenue-generating divisions in all of India.

Hubli railway
Hubli railway

The main station is the SSS Hubballi Junction, which has a large built-up area. In November 2019, officials began work to extend a platform at a cost of 90 crore rupees. This renewed platform is estimated to be 1,400 meters long. If completed, it would be the longest railway platform in the world. The city also features a Heritage Rail museum to preserve the history of train journeys.

Education is a major pillar of the Dharwad and Hubli region. Dharwad is recognized as a primary educational hub within the state of Karnataka. It is home to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Dharwad, established in 2016. This was the first IIT located in Karnataka. The city also hosts the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), which opened in 2015.

B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology
B.V. Bhoomaraddi College of Engineering and Technology

Hubli provides essential medical training through the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), founded in 1957.

Other major institutions include Karnataka University and KLE Technological University, which was established in 1947.

The culture of North Karnataka is deeply tied to Hindustani music. The Dharwad district has produced many world-class musicians who have received national honors. For example, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi won the Bharat Ratna, which is a very high award in India. Other famous musicians include Gangubai Hangal and Mallikarjun Mansur.

Girish-Karnad
Girish-Karnad

The region is also celebrated for its literature. Many writers from this area have received the prestigious Jnanapeeth Award. Notable figures include D. R. Bendre and Girish Karnad.

ದ. ರಾ. ಬೇಂದ್ರೆ - 2
ದ. ರಾ. ಬೇಂದ್ರೆ - 2

Demographics show a large and diverse population living in these cities. According to the 2011 Census, the total population was 943,788 people. Of this group, 474,518 were male and 469,270 were female. The literacy rate was quite high at 86.79 per cent. Most of the population identifies as Hindu, while Muslims make up over a quarter of the residents. Small numbers of Christians and Jains also live in the area. This mix of people, industry, and learning makes Hubli-Dharwad a unique part of India.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Hubballi_Airport_new_Terminal.jpg
Hubballi_Airport_new_Terminal.jpg
File:Hubli_railway.jpg
Hubli_railway.jpg
File:Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences, Hubballi.jpg
Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences,...
File:B.V._Bhoomaraddi_College_of_Engineering_and_Technology.jpg
B.V._Bhoomaraddi_College_of_Engineering_an...
File:ದ. ರಾ. ಬೇಂದ್ರೆ - 2.jpg
ದ. ರಾ. ಬೇಂದ್ರೆ - 2.jpg
File:Girish-Karnad.jpg
Girish-Karnad.jpg
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