Bifurcation of Bhopal Municipal Corporation: Splitting resources, revenue a challenge

Bhopal: The bifurcation of Bhopal into two municipal corporations would be a challenge for the administration, as resources, integrated projects and revenue-sharing would have to be worked out in detail, say experts.

The creation of two municipalities is underway after a government notification for the same last week.

Over 130 objections and suggestions have been received by the administration in the matter. It would be ward number 1 to 52 along with 69, 70, and 71 that would be part of one corporation. Merging Kolar with BHEL and Karond area would carve out a second corporation.

Slicing of resources and staff along with sharing of water and maintenance of sewage lines would be a challenge for the administration, according to urban development expert, Rajiv Mishra. The rationale behind creation of two municipal corporations is to cater to the expansion and needs of the city's outskirts, he added.

With two corporations, the City of lakes would witness a split in water resources, including pumping stations and water filtration plants. Roles and responsibilities would be varied and other issues could spiral in the near future, he added.

As things stand, the sewage network is efficient in Old Bhopal, whereas, water connectivity is vastly better in the newly developed areas.

Urban development department officials are optimistic that two corporations in Bhopal, which spans across 463 square km and is among the 15 largest cities of India, will be beneficial for all. The trifurcation of Hyderabad is a case in point.

The current proposal also takes the cue from Delhi, where the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was trifurcated into North Delhi, South Delhi and East Delhi Municipal Corporations in 2012. Similarly, Mumbai city has two corporations, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai and Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC).