Latest news with #BengaluruDevelopmentAuthority
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Greater Bengaluru Authority: A ray of hope or a setback as floods inundate the tech city?
Urban policy experts have offered mixed reactions to the formation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), expressing both cautious optimism and concerns about its structure, governance, and potential impact on city planning and livability. The reactions come even as the city grapples with heavy flooding, with several areas submerged following torrential rains. Experts see the GBA's promise of better coordination among key government bodies, like the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), as a positive step toward tackling the city's recurring waterlogging issues. Also Read: Bengaluru floods: IT hub resembles Venice as major tech parks and prime apartments flooded However, they caution that without addressing the fundamental problem of encroached and filled-in lakes, now reduced to around 80 from several hundred, Bengaluru's flooding crisis is unlikely to be resolved. Even if lake areas are developed locally, the natural water contours remain, causing water to follow its original path and flood low-lying areas. Experts stress that reclaiming natural water channels and ensuring proper drainage are essential for sustainable urban management. They say waterlogging is a persistent issue in Bengaluru, particularly in the rapidly expanding eastern areas like Whitefield and northern Bengaluru, where infrastructure development has not kept pace. "Stronger collaboration between agencies is crucial," said Vishwanath S., former Secretary-General of the International Rainwater Catchment Systems Association. "For instance, departments managing stormwater drains and lakes must work in tandem to ensure effective water management. Success hinges on the seamless coordination of various systems, which is essential to achieving tangible improvements on the ground." Urban experts argue that the issue is not merely administrative—it is fundamentally a structural problem. "Bengaluru used to have many major lakes, but now only about 80 remain. Most real estate developers have constructed these lakes. While at a local level, it's possible to fill in a lake area and develop it, the land contours remain unchanged. Water still follows its natural path, flooding roads and low-lying areas. How do we reclaim water channels and ensure proper drainage out of the city? Unless that's done, it's difficult to solve this problem," Sarang Kulkarni, MD of Descon Ventures, said. He emphasised the need for a comprehensive master plan that goes beyond land use to include long-term infrastructure goals. A coordinated approach is essential to ensure future-ready planning. Currently, Bengaluru lacks a fully functional, updated master plan. Previous efforts, such as the Revised Master Plan 2031, were ultimately abandoned in 2022. 'Whenever a new authority is established, there is often friction, and it takes time for all stakeholders to align,' Kulkarni said. 'Until the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) stabilizes and is seen as a unified vision by everyone involved, progress will remain slow. That said, the government must ensure that as the city expands, infrastructure leads development, not the other way around, as we've seen in the east and north, where haphazard growth has led to frequent flooding.' Also Read: Greater Bengaluru Authority replaces BBMP as city's main civic agency: Here's what it means Srikanth Viswanathan, CEO of Janagraha, highlighted the Greater Bengaluru Authority's (GBA) potential to enhance urban planning and coordination among city agencies. He noted that if implemented effectively, the GBA could unlock under utilised land, promote densification, and optimise the metro network to reduce congestion and improve mobility. However, he cautioned that achieving these outcomes would require staffing the GBA with professionals skilled in transport planning. "Urban sprawl cannot be the solution. Controlled Floor Space Index (FSI), enhancing infrastructure and connectivity, and introducing differential development control regulations (DCR) are crucial," he said. Indian land prices are often irrationally high. Unless we integrate planning with mobility—especially last-mile connectivity—we will continue expanding the city in unsustainable ways." Differential Development Control Regulations (DCR) are zoning rules that vary within an area, enabling diverse development intensities and types in different zones. Sathya Sankaran, also known as the Bicycle Mayor of Bengaluru, said that dividing BBMP into smaller municipal corporations could make city governance more effective. He argued that these smaller units would be easier to manage, with the ability to generate their own revenue, seek development grants, and independently plan their spending. "Smaller cities are easier to govern, but they must have the autonomy to generate funds and make planning decisions independently." Sandeep Anirudhan, convenor of the Citizens' Agenda for Bengaluru, highlighted a key governance gap since the 74th Constitutional Amendment in 1993, which mandated that the city be managed with support from a Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC). However, Anirudhan pointed out that despite being formally established, the MPC remains largely non-functional and critically under-resourced. 'There isn't a single transport planner within the MPC, nor has it produced a comprehensive master plan,' he said, underscoring the urgent need to build professional urban planning capacities. Satya Arikutharam, former Chief Technical Advisor to the Karnataka government and now an independent consultant, said, the GBA might dilute the role of agencies like the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA). 'Effective city planning must integrate land use and transport. Look at Whitefield's Sarjapur Road — it saw major development without any coordinated transport planning. BMLTA was supposed to fix this, but two years since the Act passed, implementation has been weak,' he said. He stressed the need for assessing the impact of ongoing real estate approvals, especially in peripheral areas where planning permission for large real estate projects is granted without adequate transport infrastructure. 'Real estate thrives on the perception of city expansion, but that should not come at the cost of sustainable development,' he said. Experts emphasise the need to empower smaller municipal corporations within the new governance framework Anirudhan pointed out that the new structure has diluted the role of municipal corporations. "Real autonomy for Bengaluru's smaller corporations can only be achieved when mayors are given genuine decision-making powers," he said. He also urged the state government to look into model laws, such as the Model Municipal Law 2003, proposed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, which advocates for decentralization and enhanced civic accountability.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Indian Express
Karnataka Lokayukta seizes over Rs 22 crore in disproportionate assets from seven govt officers
Karnataka's Lokayukta police said they raided over 35 locations linked to seven government officers in Bengaluru city as well as Bengaluru Rural, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, Vijayapura, and Yadgir districts, and uncovered disproportionate assets of Rs 22.7 crore on Thursday. The raids were conducted at the officers' homes, offices, and their relatives' homes. According to the Lokayukta police, H R Nataraj, a legal metrology inspector in Bengaluru's city market-1 subdivision, held assets worth Rs 3.94 crore, including two sites, two houses, and nine acres of agricultural land valued at Rs 3.13 crore, plus movable assets like Rs 21 lakh in ornaments and Rs 1.50 lakh cash. Lokayukta sleuths also searched locations linked to Anantha Kumar, a second-division assistant at the Hosakote taluk office in Bengaluru Rural and unearthed Rs 1.96 crore in assets, including a house and five acres of land valued at Rs 1.51 crore. The other five officers and their assets seized during the raids as per the Lokayukta are as follows: Murali TV, Additional Director of Town Planning at the Bengaluru Development Authority, possessed Rs 3.47 crore in assets, with three sites and three houses worth Rs 3.16 crore, along with Rs 25.54 lakh in ornaments. Rajashekhara D, Planning Director at Nirmithi Kendra, Tumakuru, held assets worth Rs 5.74 crore, including 12 sites, four houses, and four acres of land worth Rs 3.89 crore, with movable assets like Rs 89.06 lakh in ornaments and vehicles worth Rs 37.92 lakh. In Mangaluru, Manjunatha M R, Survey Supervisor at the UPOR (Urban Property Ownership Record) Office, had assets worth Rs 2.56 crore, including nine sites and two houses valued at Rs 2.31 crore. Renuka Satarle, a former district manager at Dr BR Ambedkar Development Corporation Limited in Vijayapura, possessed Rs 3.10 crore in assets, with three sites, two houses, and movable assets like Rs 58.80 lakh in ornaments. Umakanth Halle, Tahsildar of Shahapura taluk in Yadgir district, held assets worth Rs 1.98 crore, including two sites and two houses.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Bengaluru development body increases tax on its properties by 20% to 45%
BENGALURU : The Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), which has failed to provide adequate basic infrastructure, has increased property tax on its properties by 20% to 45%. This comes after the state government raised the prices of essential services like public transport fares, electricity, water, milk, and property registration fees. Following this, BDA's decision to revise the property tax rates has triggered protests from property owners under its jurisdiction. With over 1.22 lakh people affected, including those in developed areas like Arkavati, Banashankari, and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, along with properties in BDA-approved layouts, the tax hike has sparked strong opposition from various residents' associations. These associations have already voiced their dissent against the BDA's decision. The BDA collects around Rs 55 to Rs 60 crore annually from property taxes but has an outstanding dues of about Rs 40 crore, accumulated over several years. The state government, in collaboration with the Centre for E-Governance, has updated the property tax details for all properties, and the revised rates were published on the BDA's website on April 28. Starting from April 1, 2025, property taxes will be determined based on the revised guideline value of the properties, as confirmed by BDA sources. Property taxes are calculated based on the annual value of the asset, location, area, and any improvements made. However, many areas developed by the BDA lack adequate basic infrastructure, and there has been little progress in providing improvements. This has led to frustration, with residents questioning the fairness of the tax hikes. Public reactions Many property owners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the increased tax and the lack of corresponding improvements in infrastructure. 'The roads are still under construction, and there is no proper electricity or water connection. Despite this, the property tax has been increased. The authorities are interested in collecting taxes but are not providing the necessary facilities,' said S C Narayanaswamy, a resident of Arkavati Layout. T S Mahesh, President of the Banashankari 6th Stage Residents Welfare Association, also criticized the new charges, pointing out that empty plots are being charged a maintenance fee of `1.5 per square foot, even when there is no construction. He demanded that this fee be removed immediately. We're not against paying taxes — we're against paying for promises that were never kept. No roads, no water, no power — just rising bills– TS Mahesh, President, Banashankari 6th Stage Residents Welfare Association Residents are increasingly frustrated with the BDA's negligence in providing basic services, leading to protests. Despite paying taxes for eight years in the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, many infrastructure projects are still incomplete. 'After paying property taxes for so long, no significant infrastructure has been provided. The BDA has increased taxes by 9% to 50% in our area, but the basic services remain underdeveloped. We demand the completion of basic infrastructure before further tax hikes,' said Sunil Kiran, a resident of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout. Many are now questioning the value of owning property in BDA-developed areas, preferring to live in rented accommodations instead. The ongoing issues reflect a broader dissatisfaction with BDA's handling of infrastructure and property taxation.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
BDA increases property taxes despite Rs 40 cr in pending dues
Bengaluru Development Authority We're not against paying taxes — we're against paying for promises that were never kept. No roads, no water, no power — just rising bills – TS Mahesh, President, Banashankari 6th Stage Residents Welfare Association The(BDA), which has failed to provide adequate basic infrastructure, has increased property tax on its properties by 20% to 45%. This comes after the state government raised the prices of essential services like public transport fares, electricity, water, milk, and property registration fees. Following this, BDA's decision to revise the property tax rates has triggered protests from property owners under its over 1.22 lakh people affected, including those in developed areas like Arkavati, Banashankari, and Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, along with properties in BDA-approved layouts, the tax hike has sparked strong opposition from various residents' associations. These associations have already voiced their dissent against the BDA's decision. The BDA collects around `55 to `60 crore annually from property taxes but has an outstanding dues of about `40 crore, accumulated over several years. The state government, in collaboration with the Centre for E-Governance, has updated the property tax details for all properties, and the revised rates were published on the BDA's website on April from April 1, 2025, property taxes will be determined based on the revised guideline value of the properties, as confirmed by BDA taxes are calculated based on the annual value of the asset, location, area, and any improvements made. However, many areas developed by the BDA lack adequate basic infrastructure, and there has been little progress in providing improvements. This has led to frustration, with residents questioning the fairness of the tax property owners have expressed their dissatisfaction with the increased tax and the lack of corresponding improvements in infrastructure. 'The roads are still under construction, and there is no proper electricity or water connection. Despite this, the property tax has been increased. The authorities are interested in collecting taxes but are not providing the necessary facilities,' said S C Narayanaswamy, a resident of Arkavati Layout.T S Mahesh, President of the Banashankari 6th Stage Residents Welfare Association, also criticized the new charges, pointing out that empty plots are being charged a maintenance fee of `1.5 per square foot, even when there is no construction. He demanded that this fee be removed are increasingly frustrated with the BDA's negligence in providing basic services, leading to protests. Despite paying taxes for eight years in the Nadaprabhu Kempegowda Layout, many infrastructure projects are still incomplete. 'After paying property taxes for so long, no significant infrastructure has been provided. The BDA has increased taxes by 9% to 50% in our area, but the basic services remain underdeveloped. We demand the completion of basic infrastructure before further tax hikes,' said Sunil Kiran, a resident of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda are now questioning the value of owning property in BDA-developed areas, preferring to live in rented accommodations instead. The ongoing issues reflect a broader dissatisfaction with BDA's handling of infrastructure and property taxation.
