The proposed establishment of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) represents a significant governance overhaul intended to manage Bengaluru's rapid urban expansion and the resulting complexities in infrastructure and service delivery. This initiative underscores the need for a more integrated and efficient approach to urban management as the city continues to grow beyond the boundaries of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP). Here, we explore how the GBA aims to address these challenges and the potential implications for governance, infrastructure development, and service delivery in Bengaluru.

Addressing Urban Expansion

Bengaluru, known as India's Silicon Valley, has experienced unprecedented growth, stretching its urban landscape beyond the confines of the BBMP's jurisdiction. This expansion has created disparities in the administration and delivery of essential services such as garbage management, water supply, and electricity, which currently fall outside the BBMP's control. The creation of the GBA aims to unify these fragmented governance structures under a single entity with comprehensive planning and financial powers, thereby facilitating a more coordinated approach to urban management.

Governance Changes

The GBA proposes a three-tier governance structure designed to enhance administrative efficiency and accountability:

1. Apex Layer: The GBA will be headed by the Chief Minister, ensuring high-level oversight and strategic direction. This layer will include mayors of newly carved corporations, select councilors, all city MLAs, and domain experts, providing a broad representation of stakeholders involved in city governance.
2. Mid-Point Layer: This tier will consist of 1 to 10 corporations, each responsible for managing specific zones within the expanded jurisdiction. This decentralized approach aims to bring governance closer to the people, enabling more responsive and localized decision-making.
3. Decentralized Level: Up to 400 wards will form the base level, ensuring granular attention to local issues and facilitating community engagement in governance.

By dissolving the BBMP and replacing it with this new structure, the GBA seeks to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and improve service delivery through better coordination among various agencies.

Infrastructure Development

One of the critical challenges in managing a rapidly expanding city like Bengaluru is the development and maintenance of infrastructure. The GBA will take over the planning responsibilities previously managed by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA). This shift will enable a more integrated approach to urban planning, ensuring that infrastructure projects align with the city's long-term development goals.

The BDA, in turn, will refocus its efforts on executing large-scale infrastructure projects such as arterial and sub-arterial roads and stormwater drains. This division of responsibilities allows the BDA to leverage its expertise in large-scale project management while the GBA handles overarching planning and coordination.

Service Delivery

The GBA's integrated approach extends to the management of essential services, with key agencies such as the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), and Namma Metro coming under its jurisdiction. This consolidation aims to streamline service delivery, reduce redundancy, and enhance the efficiency of resource utilization.

For instance, by including the Electronics City Industrial Township Authority (ELCITA) within its expanded jurisdiction, the GBA can ensure that industrial and residential areas receive balanced and equitable service provision. The ability to manage a larger geographical area—expanded by about 250 sq km—will enable the GBA to plan and implement infrastructure projects and service delivery mechanisms that cater to the entire urban agglomeration, not just the core city.

Planning and Fund Utilization

The GBA will be responsible for the utilization of state-allocated funds, ensuring that financial resources are directed towards priority projects and areas of greatest need. This centralized control over funding can reduce delays and inefficiencies often associated with fragmented funding streams and multiple governing bodies.

The focus on planning and fund utilization also emphasizes accountability and transparency. With a single entity overseeing the allocation and use of funds, it becomes easier to track expenditures, evaluate project outcomes, and ensure that public money is spent effectively.

Implications for Bengaluru

The establishment of the GBA represents a significant shift in how Bengaluru is governed and managed. The implications of this change are profound:

• Enhanced Coordination: By bringing multiple corporations and parastatal agencies under a single governing body, the GBA can foster better coordination and collaboration, reducing duplication of efforts and improving service delivery.
• Improved Efficiency: The streamlined governance structure is expected to enhance administrative efficiency, enabling quicker decision-making and more responsive governance.
• Infrastructure Development: With clear delineation of responsibilities between the GBA and BDA, infrastructure development can proceed more smoothly, addressing the needs of a growing urban population.
• Service Delivery: Consolidating service provision under the GBA can lead to more consistent and reliable services, addressing current gaps and inefficiencies.

Overall, the GBA has the potential to transform Bengaluru's urban landscape, making it more resilient, efficient, and capable of meeting the demands of its expanding population. The success of this initiative will depend on effective implementation, robust governance frameworks, and ongoing stakeholder engagement to ensure that the diverse needs of Bengaluru's residents are met.