Bengaluru's great split: How a new law aims to fix city’s broken governance

Bengaluru

In a move designed to tackle the administrative chaos plaguing India’s tech hub, the Karnataka Legislative Assembly has passed a landmark bill on Tuesday to dismantle Bengaluru's monolithic civic body and replace it with a new, decentralised model of governance.

The Greater Bengaluru Governance (Amendment) Bill, 2025, finalises a plan to break the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into five smaller, autonomous municipal corporations. This radical restructuring, as reported by News18, is a direct response to the city’s explosive growth, which has seen its population double to over 15 million since the BBMP was formed in 2007, overwhelming its capacity to manage basic services.

From one behemoth to five corporations 



The new law amends the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act of 2024, which first proposed the split but faced legal and political challenges over fears it centralised too much power with the state government. The 2025 amendment, tabled by Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar, introduces key clarifications to protect local autonomy.

The five new municipal corporations will be Central, North, East, West and South. Each must meet specific criteria, including a population of at least 10 lakh and an annual revenue of Rs 300 crore. They will retain significant powers over local taxation, finances and elections, a provision was added to align with the constitutional mandate for local self-governance, as per News18.

Each corporation will be governed by its own council, headed by a mayor and deputy mayor who will serve a term of 30 months.

Role of the Greater Bengaluru Authority 



Overseeing the new structure will be the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), chaired by the Chief Minister with the Bengaluru Development Minister as vice-chairperson. The amendment explicitly states that the GBA is a coordinating body that "will not interfere in the functioning of municipal corporations."

According to the News18 report, its mandate is to synchronise the work of the five corporations and existing civic agencies like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation. It will also be responsible for city-wide strategic planning and appointing senior civic officers.

What it means for Bengaluru’s residents 


For citizens, the reform promises a more responsive government but also presents potential pitfalls.

* Hyper-local focus: The primary benefit is the potential for improved local services. Smaller corporations mean ward committees can prioritise neighbourhood-specific issues like potholes, garbage collection and water supply, leading to faster resolutions.
* Financial equity: To address vast revenue disparities where zones like Mahadevapura contribute significantly more tax than others, the state has committed to supporting deficit corporations directly, avoiding unconstitutional inter-corporation transfers that could pit areas against each other.
* A voice for citizens: Empowered ward committees could offer residents a stronger say in local budgeting and projects, fostering participatory governance.

However, challenges remain. The transition could initially cause confusion and bureaucratic delays as roles are delineated. Critics also point to the Chief Minister’s dual role as chair of both the GBA and the Metropolitan Planning Committee, which some fear could lead to the very centralisation of power the amendment seeks to avoid.

The road ahead 



A key immediate impact is the path it clears for long-overdue civic elections. With BBMP elections stalled for over four years, the amendment prioritises holding polls within the existing civic boundaries to avoid legal delays.

The success of this ambitious overhaul, as detailed in the News18 report, will ultimately hinge on transparent implementation and robust coordination between the new entities. If executed effectively, it could provide a blueprint for managing rapid urbanisation not just in Bengaluru, but for megacities across India. The goal is to build a governance framework that is as dynamic and modern as the city it serves.