Lack of funds haunts Belgaum Cantonment

Established in 1832, Cantonment Board Belgaum (CBB) is one the oldest cantonments in the country. It is a Class 2 cantonment (a population between 10,000 and 50,000) and was constituted as a statutory agency to look into civil matters of the military station that was set up in 1828. Belgaum was one of five military stations established in old Bombay Presidency.

Seven wards of CBB comprise a large part of Belagavi city. These wards house several prominent educational institutions like Kendriya Vidyalaya-2, St Paul’s, St Xavier’s and the Rashtriya Military School etc. The St Paul’s School, which recently celebrated 160 years, was established by the British to ensure quality English medium education for their children. Commute and travel then was either by horse or bullock carts.




Apart from several prominent educational institutions, the cantonment area is also home to several historical sites such as Kamal Basadi and Safa Masjid — which are maintained by Archaeolo gical Survey of India — the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, many old churches including St Mary’s, temples like Military Mahadev, Hindalaga Ganesh and Maa Durga. The railway station too comes under CBB. The Vaccine Depot and the Race Course, a lush green space in the heart of the city, are also located in cantonment. The wholesale vegetable market was located in cantonment before it shifted to APMC a few months ago.


A 2001 census put the population of CBB at 23,779. The CBB consists of 14 members seven of whom are elected and the others nominated. CBB runs schools in Urdu and Marathi medium from Class 1 to Class 10 and an English medium school up to Class 5. CBB also runs a hospital of 40 beds in its office premises.


One perennial and pressing problem CBB faces is shortage of funds. The area falls under the control of the central government, but the residents vote and elect candidates to the state legislature and Parliament. Although cantonment authorities seek funds, the state refuses to grant any funds citing the lack of provision under the KMC Act. In 2012, cantonment authorities decided to tackle the situation by levying a toll on vehicles passing through the area, but the decision was withdrawn following pressure from politicians.