NEWS

• The Karnataka Government has formally constituted the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to oversee and coordinate development across Bengaluru.
• The GBA will be chaired by the Chief Minister and co-chaired by the Bengaluru Development Minister.
• The order takes effect immediately.

HIGHLIGHTS

Administrative Changes

• Bengaluru civic limits will be reorganized into five corporations from September 2, 2024.
• The GBA will function as a pan-city body to ensure coordination between multiple corporations and various parastatals.
• M. Maheshwar Rao, presently Chief Commissioner of the BBMP, has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the GBA.

Composition of the GBA

• Three key officials: Chief Commissioner (also member secretary), Chief Town Planner, and Chief Engineer.
• Elected representatives: 28 MLAs, 4 Lok Sabha MPs, 11 MLCs, and 6 Rajya Sabha MPs representing Bengaluru constituencies.
• Notable members: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, along with mayors and commissioners of the new five corporations.
• Parastatal representation: Planning authorities, BMTC, BMRCL, DULT, BMLTA, BESCOM, BWSSB, Police, Fire and Emergency Services—all brought under one umbrella for the first time.

Key Objectives

• Improve coordination among agencies, addressing long-standing challenges of fragmented governance.
• Balance revenue imbalances among corporations.
• Facilitate integrated urban planning for transport, utilities, and infrastructure.

Exclusions and Concerns

• Some entities are excluded: Rail Infrastructure Development Company (Karnataka) and Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd. (B-SMILE).
• Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) also left out, despite Bengaluru’s traffic issues.
• Civic activists highlight the exclusion of Home, Energy, and Transport Ministers (present in the original draft bill) as a potential weakness in governance.