Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that the powers so far vested in the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) will now be transferred to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). This, he said, would mark a major administrative reform in how Bengaluru will now be governed under a single metropolitan framework, as GBA will now be the planning authority.
The DCM announced this at a press conference after the first-ever meeting of the GBA held after its formation on Friday.
However, when asked if BDA will not be taking any further decisions, Mr. Shivakumar said BDA will be under GBA, and it will continue to hold its own area, while GBA will focus on the areas mentioned in the Act. Planning for BDA, the DCM clarified, will not be done by the GBA.
“Even Transferable Development Rights (TDR), which earlier used to go to BDA, will be under GBA for early and faster disposal of the problems,” he said.
Mr. Shivakumar, however, did not mention anything regarding the fund allocation for the corporations during the meeting and said all infrastructure projects will be done under GBA, and funds will be allocated accordingly.
He mentioned that the elections will first be held within the currently declared GBA limits. After that, a committee will decide which areas should be included based on their level of urban development.
The DCM mentioned that five plots have been identified for the construction of new offices for the five corporations. The plots are identified around Mahadevapura Metro Station, Chokkanahalli, and Banashankari in the south, apart from two other areas.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, unlike the previous governments that failed to act on the proposal to restructure Bengaluru’s governance, his government has delivered it by establishing the GBA. The CM clarified that the formation of the GBA had no political motive and that the aim was to provide better governance and civic facilities to the people of Bengaluru.
During the previous tenure, a committee had been set up to study the feasibility of having multiple corporations within Bengaluru. “The committee had submitted an interim report, but subsequent governments did not act on it. After returning to power, we reconstituted the committee, sought public feedback, and after receiving suggestions and objections, brought in the law to form the GBA,” he said.
To address traffic congestion, the CM instructed the Transport Department and the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) to plan for last-mile connectivity, including deploying mini-buses where required.
The DCM further mentioned that he will visit one corporation’s limits every weekend to understand people’s problems, starting October 11. On first day, the DCM will be visiting Lalbagh in Bengaluru Central Corporation.
‘BJP does not believe in public service’
Hitting at BJP boycotting the first meeting, Mr. Siddaramaiah remarked that all public representatives have the opportunity to express their opinions freely in the GBA meetings. However, some representatives have lost that opportunity. Those who oppose decentralisation and Bengaluru’s development have chosen to boycott this meeting, he added.
Mr. Shivakumar further said, “After our government came to power, we promised to take governance closer to the people. We introduced the law in the Assembly, and today marks the first meeting of these corporations. But the BJP is not here because they do not believe in public service. They did not even go once to the central government to request funds for Bengaluru. They want to do politics every time, and hence they boycotted the first meeting.”
Committee to oversee redevelopment of slums
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar directed GBA officials to form a committee to oversee the revival of the city’s slums following the Mumbai model. “Earlier, we had attempted a similar initiative in Shanthinagar, but it failed. Therefore, a dedicated committee must be formed,” he said, while responding to Zameer Ahmed Khan, MLA for Chamarajapete, who pointed out that there are 480 slums in the city .
When asked whether waste management would be handled by the GBA, Mr. Shivakumar clarified that 33 tenders will be called, one for each assembly segment. “The matter is currently under judicial review, and a ruling is expected soon, after which the work will proceed. Waste collection will be managed by the local municipal corporations, while GBA will oversee overall coordination,” he said.
10 acre plot for abandoned vehicles
When Shivajinagar MLA Rizwan Arshad highlighted that abandoned vehicles in Bengaluru are increasing traffic congestion and waste management problems, Mr. Shivakumar instructed officials to identify 10-acre plots outside the city to relocate these vehicles.
Published – October 10, 2025 10:52 pm IST
