Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday said that a conference of Urban Development Ministers from all South Indian States will be held in Bengaluru on October 30. The meeting will be chaired by Union Minister for Energy, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar.
When asked if Karnataka would seek Central assistance for Bengaluru’s development, Mr. Shivakumar said, “We will ask. The Union Urban Affairs Minister will participate in the conference, and we will place our demands before him. We have already met the Union Ministers and even the Prime Minister and requested funds,” he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that several areas on the city’s outskirts are being considered for inclusion under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). “I have visited the outer areas in Bengaluru that are eligible to come under the GBA in the future. The border areas of several local bodies, including some city councils and panchayats, fall under my department. I have called a meeting of the relevant officers on Friday,” he said.
He added that a committee headed by B.S. Patil, Brand Bengaluru Committee Chairperson, is preparing a report on the areas that can be included under the GBA. “Currently, around 25 lakh people live in areas outside the jurisdiction of the existing corporations. They will have to be included in the corporation limits in the future. Bengaluru needs to be kept clean, and for that areas must be developed. Some areas like Electronics City, Whitefield, Airport Road, and Yelahanka are still not included. Wherever the population has increased, a proper development plan must be drawn up,” he said.
He pointed out that garbage collection in these regions is inconsistent because of jurisdictional confusion. “In some places, garbage is collected and in others, it is not, as they are still not under the panchayats. Officials must be held accountable. I wanted to visit these areas personally rather than just study them on a map,” he added.
Mr. Shivakumar said that this weekend, a meeting will be held with IT/BT companies, particularly in Mahadevapura and K.R. Puram after Bengaluru Nadige (Walk with citizens) programme.
Responding to questions about the status of pothole repair work, he said, “Officials are closing the potholes. In some areas, instead of patching, we are asphalting the entire stretches of roads. This work will continue without interruption. In vulnerable areas, work is being completed as a priority. Since rains are expected, we will resume the remaining work after the rains stop.”
‘Parts of Anekal will come under the GBA jurisdiction’
Parts of Anekal will come under the GBA jurisdiction, said Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, adding that discussions will be held on facilities to be provided in the future. “A traffic congestion control plan should be formulated in this area immediately because it will be difficult to formulate a plan after the city grows,” he added.
Published – October 23, 2025 11:09 pm IST
