From BBMP to GBA: Will it make Bengaluru great again?

Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar unveils board of the Greater Bengaluru Authority at its headquarters

Bengaluru’s civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), formed in 2007, has now been replaced by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

The new governance structure, notified on September 2, divides the city into five corporations - Bengaluru Central, Bengaluru North, Bengaluru South, Bengaluru East, and Bengaluru West - under the overarching GBA.

The state government says the reform will bring efficiency, decentralisation, and better service delivery. But critics, activists, and urban experts are divided over whether the GBA and its five corporations can address the city’s deep-rooted infrastructure and service delivery issues, or if they will simply add another layer of complexity - a question that remains to be seen.

Also, read: Greater Bengaluru Authority takes charge as BBMP era ends

The government’s pitch

Deputy CM and Bengaluru development minister DK Shivakumar informed that GBA will focus on large-scale projects while day-to-day services will be handled by the corporations. He said, “The objective is to give good administration. Earlier, people had to approach the BBMP chief commissioner for even small issues. Now, commissioners of the respective corporations will handle local functions, while the GBA will take up large projects."

‘Transition pains ahead’

V Ravichandar, a member of the Brand Bengaluru Committee that conceptualised the Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill, admitted there will be short-term disruption. “GBA has chances of improving, but it can’t be worse than where we are right now. There will be transition pains. For the next six months, there will be disruptions. People need clarity on responsibilities - whether something comes under the corporation, the GBA, or another agency,” he said.

Ravichandar added that elections would add to the slowdown. “With polls likely by March-April, the machinery will focus on ward delimitation, preparing electoral rolls, and implementing the model code of conduct. That means a slowdown in activities is inevitable.”

Despite these challenges, he remained optimistic. “An institution like GBA, which integrates all civic agencies, has never existed before, and this focus can help. Also, having five corporations will bring in healthy competition - even if one performs well, it can be a role model for the others,” he added.

Experts see confusion, not clarity

Urban expert Ashwin Mahesh welcomed the division into smaller corporations but criticised the creation of GBA. “Breaking the city into smaller corporations is a good move, but forming GBA was a mistake. Instead of creating it, the focus should have been on reforming and strengthening Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC). Right now, both GBA and MPC exist, which is confusing and needs clarification,” he said.

Mahesh added, “Infrastructure projects are already with B-SMILE, a special purpose vehicle. Planning powers remain concentrated in BDA. Large projects should be coordinated separately, while core municipal functions under the 74th Amendment - such as waste management - must remain with corporations. Smaller corporations will, however, allow citizens to push their agenda more effectively, and competition among corporations could improve performance.”

He also raised concerns about revenue, and said, “It’s unclear why revenue should go to GBA - by law, it belongs to municipal corporations.”

Also, read: Karnataka governor gives assent to Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill to split BBMP into smaller corporations

Srinivas Alavilli, fellow at an NGO - WRI India, called the new law an attempt to formalise state control. “Greater Bengaluru Governance Act looks like an attempt to formalise what happens in reality - state government control over civic agencies. GBA seems like a formal setup to bring agencies together and improve coordination, but CM heading it doesn’t seem right. I welcome five corporations with smaller wards and larger ward committees, as this means more citizens can participate in governance and hold officials accountable,” he said.

Activist Vinay Srinivasa opined that the overlapping roles has left everyone confused, and added, “With CM heading GBA and deputy CM serving as vice-chairman, Congress party is undoing the spirit of the 73rd and 74th Amendments and reversing what Rajiv Gandhi envisioned, centralising power while offering nothing for the urban poor. There is also complete confusion over planning authorities, with the GBA, BDA, and MPC overlapping in their roles.”

On the MPC, Ravichandar said: “MPC is a separate setup mandated under the 74th Amendment. It has nothing to do with the GBA. It will serve as the planning authority for the multiple corporations and must be constituted with elected mayors. BDA will continue to exist with its layout responsibilities, but GBA may direct it to prepare the master plan.”

Revathy Ashok, CEO of Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), an NGO supported the creation of smaller corporations. “We were among the first to call for multiple corporations. A city spread over 800 sq km cannot be governed effectively from a central office. Unless commissioners and staff are physically present in their areas, they cannot resolve local issues. Smaller corporations will make governance more responsive, though challenges in financial distribution and fair legislation remain,” Ashok said.

Also, read: Bengaluru may get five corporations within existing BBMP limits

She added, “There are formulas for distributing finances since some areas generate more tax while others face deficits. The challenge lies in ensuring fair allocation and avoiding rent-seeking behaviour.”

Krishna Kumar Gowda, general secretary of Greater Bengaluru IT Companies and Industries Association, said, “As the city continues to grow as the Silicon Valley of India, it is essential to have a streamlined, futuristic governance model that supports sustainable development, efficient service delivery, and robust infrastructure. We welcome this reform and look forward to collaborating with the GBA to foster an ecosystem that accelerates innovation, business growth, and quality of life for all residents.”

Shivakumar said they have identified land for new offices for the corporations and will lay the foundation on November 1. All offices will be built in a uniform design, with a prize of Rs 5 lakh for the best architectural plan. We have also invited designs for a GBA logo,”.

He added that each corporation will have a commissioner, an additional commissioner, a joint commissioner, KAS officials, and a chief engineer. “We have enhanced the number of zonal offices from 27 to 50 and sub-zonal offices from 75 to 150. Each corporation has provision for up to 150 wards. Considering an average of 100 wards per corporation, people will have an opportunity to elect 500 new leaders, with 50 percent reservation for women,” he added.

On finances, Shivakumar said: “Taxes will be collected by the new corporations from September 3 and used solely within their jurisdictions. Wards will be formed with an average population of 30,000 to 40,000, and new areas may be added to East, West, and North corporations in the future.”

He also confirmed that elections are on the way, and said, “A notification for the ward delimitation will be issued, followed by reservation details on November 30. Elections will be held thereafter. We have written to the Election Commission to prepare, and the voter list will be readied soon."

Also, read: MC Explains: Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill and what it means for the tech capital