Daijiworld Media Network- Bengaluru
Bengaluru, May 14: In a historic administrative transition, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which has been at the helm of Bengaluru’s civic affairs for years, will officially give way to the newly formed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) starting Wednesday, May 15. With the implementation of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, the capital city is set to witness a major overhaul in its civic structure.
As per the official government notification issued recently, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will serve as the chairperson of the Greater Bengaluru Authority, while Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar will be its vice chairperson. The final go-ahead from the Governor has paved the way for the state's ambitious vision of decentralised urban governance.
This reform comes into effect after a government notification dated May 5 proposed the activation of GBA, and the state machinery has since moved swiftly to prepare for its implementation by May 15. The BBMP, as a standalone entity, will cease to exist, and instead, a broader administrative framework will take charge under the GBA.
The administrative overhaul will not only rename the BBMP but will also reorganise the governance model of the city. Bengaluru's jurisdiction, geography, and administrative scope will expand, potentially splitting the current BBMP into three separate municipal corporations, all governed under the GBA. These corporations will be managed by individual commissioners but remain under the overarching supervision of a central administrative officer.
• GBA will have independent control over planning and financial management.
• The authority will cover approximately 1,400 square kilometres.
• It will consist of 1 to 10 municipal corporations under its jurisdiction.
• The draft bill proposes the creation of around 400 wards.
• Each corporation will have its own commissioner, but all will report to the main administrative authority of GBA.
• Major city agencies like BWSSB (Water Board), BDA (Bangalore Development Authority), and BESCOM will come under the GBA umbrella.
This transformation is being touted as a game-changer in the governance of India’s Silicon Valley. With GBA coming into force, the government aims to address the growing complexities of administering a megacity like Bengaluru through a more decentralised and responsive system.
As of May 15, the BBMP will be remembered in the annals of Bengaluru’s history, marking the beginning of a new chapter in urban governance.