Latest news with #GreaterBengaluruGovernanceAct
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Cauvery Aarti will bring togethersouth Indian cultures: Shivakumar
Bengaluru: Deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday announced that the upcoming Cauvery Aarti programme at the KRS reservoir will be developed into a landmark cultural event for south India, bringing together traditions of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry — the states through which the Cauvery flows. "This ritual will become a symbol of Karnataka's culture and heritage," Shivakumar, who also holds the water resources portfolio, said after a meeting at Vidhana Soudha. "It will also serve as a regional celebration by including traditions of Kodagu, Malnad, Coastal Karnataka, Bengaluru, and major religious mutts," he added. Planned as a three-day event every weekend, the programme, a pet project of Shivakumar, will feature a blend of religious ceremonies and cultural performances. A Rs 92-crore budget has already been sanctioned by the Cauvery Corporation for the initiative. Shivakumar said the departments of energy, public works, tourism, muzrai, and Kannada and culture will collaborate for the event. A 10,000-seat gallery for public viewing is also on the drawing board. "We have invited entries for the best theme song for the event," he added. "Most of the designs are ready. Once the plans are finalised, they will be shared with the public," he said. A stage for the rituals will be built on flowing water, and tenders for its construction will be floated shortly. —- Meeting deliberates GBPA implementation Shivakumar also held a high-level review meeting with Bengaluru legislators and senior officials to discuss rain-related damage, city development, and the implementation of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act (GBPA). The meeting, aimed at addressing urban infrastructure challenges and accelerating development initiatives, saw the participation of several cabinet ministers and elected representatives from across the city. Ministers KJ George, Ramalinga Reddy, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, and Krishna Byre Gowda attended the meeting, along with MLAs NA Haris, Rizwan Arshad, Gopalaiah, Satish Reddy, Muniraju, ST Somashekar, Uday Garudachar, CK Ramamurthy, Manjula Limbavali, Ravi Subramanya, Anekal Shivanna, and MLC Sudhamadas. Shivakumar reviewed the preparedness of civic bodies to handle monsoon-related disruptions and instructed authorities to fast-track projects under GBPA for more efficient governance and service delivery in the rapidly growing metropolis.
The Hindu
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Much talk about big infra, Brand Bengaluru, but real achievement is restructuring city governance
With the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar taking charge of Bengaluru Development in the incumbent regime, the city has, after a long time, got adequate 'political capital and will' over the last two years. What difference has it made for the city in real terms is now the moot question. Much chatter over two years has been about big-ticket projects such as tunnel roads and skydeck, totalling a staggering ₹1 lakh crore, all championed by Mr. Shivakumar. The Brand Bengaluru campaign has received a good boost with the State Budget earmarking ₹7,000 crore for the city's civic body this year. However, the mammoth projects have not taken off the ground. Restructuring governance What remains a significant achievement of the Congress government is the enactment of the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, to restructure civic administration in the city, with multiple corporations and a pan-city body called the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), led by the Chief Minister, which for the first time in the city's history brings all the parastatals on one platform. This raises hopes for a more holistic planning and coordinated governance. The Act came into effect on May 15, even as the GBA is yet to be constituted and multiple corporations drawn up. This year, the city's administration is expected to transition to a new system, which the Congress has argued is a solution to the 'governance deficit' in the city. The Congress government had tried to push through the same reform in 2015, but failed as the Governor sent the Bill to the President. Even as the results of this governance reform are yet to be seen, it is definitely a watershed moment, after the expansion of civic limits and formation of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) in 2007. Even as this law is likely to be legally challenged by citizen groups, arguing it violates the 74th amendment of the Constitution, the government has also drawn flak over the inordinate delay in holding the civic polls. Come September, it will be five years without an elected council in the city. When will big projects take off? Since taking charge of the city, Mr. Shivakumar has articulated a vision for expanding the road network to ease traffic congestion. This includes nearly 40 km of tunnel roads, running across the city in two corridors, 17 grade separators totalling to a length of 110 km, double-decker flyovers with Namma Metro Phase III, 300-km-long roads in the buffer zones of storm-water drains at a whopping cost of ₹73,000 crore to be spearheaded by Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd., a special-purpose vehicle, and the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) at a cost of ₹27,000 crore. In a city that saw virulent civic opposition to a steel flyover on Ballari Road in 2016, forcing the Congress government in its previous regime to withdraw, there is surprisingly little real opposition to such a large push for infrastructure for private vehicles in Bengaluru. Fund crunch Given the fiscal constraints of the State, funding any of these projects was not an option. But the last two years — with multiple tenders for PRR failing to attract bidders — have shown that neither is the private funding enthusiastic, pushing the government to go for long-term loans. The State government has agreed to stand guarantor for a loan of ₹27,000 crore for PRR project and ₹19,000 crore for Phase I of the tunnel road project. Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) has agreed to give ₹27,000 crore loan for PRR project, and talks are on with various lenders for a loan to fund the tunnel roads. The ₹3,500 crore loan from the World Bank to implement climate resilience measures in the city will take the borrowing for city infrastructure to ₹50,000 crore. A 250-m-high skydeck to boost tourism has also been one of Mr. Shivakumar's pet projects, which is put on the back burner till the location of the second airport for the city is finalised. Most of these projects are yet to take off as none of these loans have materialised yet. Preparation is under way to start work on tunnel roads and PRR soon, sources said.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru rains: Political slugfest erupts as city comes to a standstill
The torrential overnight rainfall that brought Bengaluru to a standstill has reigniting political attacks on the state government over its handling of the city's crumbling infrastructure. Leader of Opposition R Ashoka criticised deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, who is also the nodal minister for Bengaluru development, accusing him of being more interested in politics than governance. 'What Karnataka Congress promised: Brand Bengaluru, What Karntataka Congress delivered: Beach Bengaluru. Part-time Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar, if you are done with your brother DK Suresh's Milk Union Elections, kindly give some time to Bengaluru,' he said. 'Bengaluru has been turned into Venice after just one spell of rain. The Congress's apathy has ruined Silicon City. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar have no vision for this global city other than using it as an ATM to fill their coffers,' said BJP leader Amit Malviya in a post on X. Former chief minister and Union minister HD Kumaraswamy led the charge, launching a blistering attack on the Congress government and questioning the effectiveness of the newly implemented Greater Bengaluru Governance Act. 'Greater Bengaluru sinks when it rains heavily and floats when it rains lightly,' he said in a statement, mocking the law as a tool that has enabled more corruption instead of improving city governance. 'It's not 'Greater Bengaluru' anymore. It's 'Looters' Bengaluru',' he remarked. Pointing to gaping potholes, exposed drains, and recurring floods, Kumaraswamy accused the government of misusing public money. 'There's not even soil to fill a pothole, but tenders worth thousands of crores are floated for tunnel roads. Do they think people are lifeless stones who won't protest?' he asked. The downpour, one of the heaviest in recent years, saw the Bengaluru Urban observatory record 132 mm of rainfall, while Somasettihalli in Bengaluru North registered 119 mm, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC). In localities like Sai Layout in Horamavu, rescue teams had to deploy boats as residents waded through knee-to-waist-deep floodwaters. Opposition BJP leaders echoed the JD(S) leader's criticism. C N Ashwath Narayan, MLA from Malleswaram, wrote on social media, 'Crores spent. Zero results. Last night's rains didn't expose Bengaluru's infrastructure, they exposed DK Shivakumar's track record of the last two years of doing nothing.' Karnataka BJP general secretary and Karkala MLA Sunil Kumar Karkala demanded transparency. 'Let the government publish a white paper showing how much has actually been spent on infrastructure,' he said, urging citizens to see the ground reality at traffic hotspots like Silk Board junction. BJP spokesperson Ashwath Narayan Gowda accused the government of ignoring advance warnings about the downpour. 'Despite the weatherman predicting heavy rainfall almost a week ago, there were no efforts made to prepare for the monsoon,' he said. Blaming Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for the chaos, he added, 'From Brand Bengaluru to Greater Bengaluru, and now from Greater Bengaluru, it has become Submerged Bengaluru.' Gowda said the city's taxpayers had been let down. 'Bengaluru pays the maximum taxes in Karnataka, but the investment needed for basic infrastructure is missing. No major development work has been done in the past two years,' he said. Deputy CM Shivakumar responded by stating he was actively coordinating relief efforts. In a social media post, he wrote, 'I've been in continuous touch with the concerned officers, and I'm closely monitoring the situation. As always, I remain committed to Bengaluru — working round the clock to address challenges and ensure relief. I will be visiting the BBMP War Room and flood-affected areas personally to take stock on the ground.' Shivakumar acknowledged the long-standing nature of the city's civic issues. 'Let us be clear: the issues we face today are not new. They have been ignored for years, across governments and administrations. The only difference now is, we are working to solve them. Not with temporary fixes, but with long-term, sustainable solutions.' 'To my fellow Bengalureans, I am one among you. I understand your concerns, I share your frustration, and I assure you of my commitment to resolving them. I stand with you,' he added. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah monitored the unfolding crisis from the BBMP War Room, where he received updates from BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath and other senior officials. According to a statement from the CM's office, 'Chief Minister Siddaramaiah received information about the disasters caused by heavy rains in Bengaluru from BBMP Administrative Officer Tushar Girinath at the BBMP War Room and gave advice and instructions on relief measures. He instructed the officials of the affected areas over the phone and instructed them to take necessary measures as soon as possible.' The Chief Minister was joined by Deputy CMs D.K. Shivakumar and K.J. George, Chief Secretary Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, and MLAs including N.A. Harris. Political Secretaries to the CM and Council members also took part in the emergency meeting to review the situation. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
‘Not Greater Bengaluru, but looters' Bengaluru': HD Kumaraswamy tears into Congress after city floods again
Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy launched a scathing attack on the Karnataka government after large parts of Bengaluru were submerged following intense overnight rainfall on Saturday. Labeling the situation as a consequence of administrative failure, Kumaraswamy said the city no longer represents 'Greater Bengaluru' but rather 'Looters' Bengaluru'. Also Read - Overnight rain floods Bengaluru roads, traffic police issue multiple advisories amid morning chaos The sharp remark was aimed at the recently enacted Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, which came into effect on May 15 to streamline city administration. However, with heavy rains exposing major lapses in civic preparedness, Kumaraswamy used the term sarcastically, saying the Act has only facilitated more corruption rather than better governance. 'Greater Bengaluru sinks when it rains heavily and floats when it rains lightly,' Kumaraswamy said in a statement on Sunday. He criticised the ruling Congress for failing to address the crumbling infrastructure, pointing to gaping potholes, open drains, and repeated flooding as proof of misgovernance. He questioned the lack of accountability in the spending of public funds: 'There's not even soil to fill a pothole, but tenders worth thousands of crores are floated for tunnel roads. Do they think people are lifeless stones who won't protest?' he asked, adding that the city's glossy image in advertisements was far from its ground reality, which he described as 'suffocating'. Also Read - iPhones made in Bengaluru: Foxconn's Devanahalli unit set to begin shipments by June Bengaluru recorded some of the heaviest rainfall in decades, with the Bengaluru Urban observatory registering 132 mm and the Bengaluru North (Somasettihalli) station recording 119 mm, according to the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC). Several low-lying areas like Sai Layout in Horamavu were submerged, with boats deployed to rescue residents trapped in knee-to-waist deep water. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka also criticised the state government. Speaking to the media, he said it was time to rename the city 'Water Bengaluru' instead of 'Greater Bengaluru', highlighting the frequency and severity of waterlogging incidents in recent weeks. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner T. Maheshwar Rao visited affected areas, including Horamavu and Sai Layout, on Sunday morning. He admitted that the rain was unusually intense and said civic teams worked on the ground till 1 AM. Rao assured that the administration will work on a permanent solution to the recurring floods, which residents say have now become an annual nightmare.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
A city in transition: From Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to Greater Bengaluru Authority
The story so far As of May 16, 2025, Bengaluru has undergone a significant administrative transformation with the official establishment of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), replacing the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) as the city's primary governing body. In a move aimed at revamping the governance of one of India's most rapidly growing urban centers, the Government of Karnataka has formally established the GBA, replacing the long-standing BBMP. This reform, rooted in the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, came into effect on May 15, 2025, ushering in a new era in the administration of Bengaluru city. Why was there a need to replace the existing BBMP structure? The BBMP that came into being in 2007 struggled to keep pace with the city's explosive growth. Originally formed by merging the core city with surrounding municipal councils, the BBMP eventually covered over 709 square kilometers and governed more than 10 million residents. Despite its vast responsibilities, the BBMP faced persistent criticism for inefficiency, lack of coordination among civic bodies, and inadequate infrastructure planning. From traffic snarls and potholes to flooding, garbage management, and water shortages, Bengaluru's urban woes were often attributed to fragmented governance and poor inter-agency coordination. Multiple civic bodies —like the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM), and Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) — operated independently, creating silos and administrative gridlocks. The GBA aims to fix these systemic inefficiencies by creating a unified governance structure that can deliver integrated planning and services. What exactly is the Greater Bengaluru Authority? The GBA is a new urban governance body created to oversee, coordinate, and manage the affairs of India's tech capital in a more cohesive and efficient manner. The formation of the GBA is guided by the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024. Under the new system, the GBA will replace the BBMP as the overarching city governance body, coordinate across departments and civic agencies, ensuring unified planning and execution, oversee regional divisions of the city, with the plan to split Bengaluru into multiple municipal corporations for more localised governance and enhance transparency and accountability, with digital platforms and public dashboards for tracking civic services, said a member of Brand Bengaluru Committee, formerly known as Bengaluru Restructuring Committee. What will be the structure and leadership of GBA? The GBA will be headed by the Chief Minister of Karnataka as its Chairperson, with the Deputy Chief Minister serving as Vice-Chairperson. The authority will include top officials from various civic departments, urban planning bodies, and State agencies, ensuring that inter-agency collaboration is built into its structure. An Administrative Officer will be appointed during the transition phase to ensure that essential city services continue without interruption. The GBA will also absorb and work closely with other stakeholders, such as BDA (urban planning and land use), BWSSB (water supply and sewerage), BESCOM (electricity supply), BMRCL (metro rail and urban transit)2, BMTC (public bus transportation). This collaborative framework is designed to eliminate delays caused by agency silos and overlapping mandates. Will BBMP continue to exist? Yes, the BBMP will continue to exist for the time being. Although the Government of Karnataka has officially notified the GBA Act, the implementation process, including the division of BBMP into multiple smaller municipal corporations—possibly three to five—is yet to be completed. Until this restructuring process is formally carried out and the new administrative bodies are established, the BBMP will remain the primary municipal authority for Bengaluru. During this transitional period, the BBMP will continue to function under the provisions of the BBMP Act, 2020. The current BBMP Chief Commissioner will also continue to serve in office and oversee the city's administration until the new governance framework is fully operational. How will division of Bengaluru work and what will the nature of multiple corporations under GBA? One of the most significant changes under the GBA is the plan to divide Bengaluru into multiple municipal corporations. While the Act allows for up to seven corporations, current discussions point toward forming three to five. Each of these corporations will manage local administration and delivery of services in its respective area, such as sanitation, road maintenance, waste management, and public health. They will report to and be guided by the overarching GBA. This model is inspired by cities like London and New York, which have borough-based administrations working under a central authority. The goal is to bring governance closer to citizens, improve responsiveness, and ensure tailored solutions for different zones. What are the issues involved in implementation and transition from BBMP to GBA? While the law has taken effect, the transition from BBMP to GBA will be gradual and carefully managed. The BBMP will continue to function during the interim period until the new corporations are formally established and empowered. A major focus during the transition is on continuity of services. From garbage collection and street lighting to water supply and emergency response, residents will not face disruptions. Additionally, digital platforms are being developed to centralise services, complaints, and performance monitoring — aligning with the broader 'Brand Bengaluru' initiative launched by the State government. What have been the political reactions and public responses like? The establishment of the GBA has been met with a mix of praise and scepticism. Supporters argue that the overhaul is long overdue and essential for a global city like Bengaluru. But critics, particularly from the opposition BJP, warn that it could increase bureaucratic layers and lead to higher taxation without necessarily improving services. There are also concerns over centralisation of power and whether local elected representatives will have adequate say in decision-making. The government, on the other hand, has promised that municipal elections will be held in the new corporations to preserve democratic accountability.
