NEWS – Karnataka government to decide on Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to manage Bengaluru

PROPOSED GOVERNANCE CHANGES

• New Governance Body:
  • Bengaluru to have a new body with planning and financial powers.
  • Oversee multiple corporations and parastatal agencies.
• Changes to Bangalore Development Authority (BDA):
  • BDA will lose its power to approve land use and development plans.
  • It will focus on large infrastructure projects.
• Draft Bill:
  • Created by a four-member committee.
  • Proposes the formation of Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA)

NEED OF THE CHANGE

• Bengaluru is expanding beyond the current BBMP limits.
• Key areas such as garbage, water, and electricity are outside BBMP’s control
• A Draft Bill Created by a four-member committee Proposes the formation of Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

GREATER BENGALURU AUTHORITY (GBA)

• Structure:
  • Apex Body: Headed by the Chief Minister.
  • Members:
    • Mayors of newly-carved corporations.
    • Select councilors.
    • All city MLAs.
    • Domain experts.
  • Agencies Included:
    • BWSSB (water board).
    • Bescom (electricity supplier).
    • Namma Metro.
    • Traffic management.
  • Three-Tier Structure:
    • Apex Layer: GBA.
    • Mid-Point: 1 to 10 corporations.
    • Decentralized Level: Up to 400 wards.
    • BBMP will cease to exist.
  • Jurisdiction:
    • Expanded by about 250 sq km to cover Bengaluru’s periphery.
    • Comparison: BBMP currently covers about 708 sq km.
    • ELCITA (Electronics City Industrial Township Authority) likely to be included under GBA.

Planning and Fund Utilization

• Responsibilities of GBA:
  • Decides on the utilization of state-allocated funds.
  • Oversee planning, previously managed by BDA.
• BDA’s New Role:
  • Undertake major infrastructure projects like:
    • Arterial roads.
    • Sub-arterial roads.
    • Storm water drains.
  • Projects cutting across different corporations will be managed by GBA.