Bengaluru: The newly formed Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) is set to take on its first independent project—the Bengaluru Water Resilience Project—aimed at strengthening the city’s infrastructure against flooding and water stress.

GBA assumes central planning responsibilities

The GBA, which came into force this week, replaces the BBMP as Bengaluru’s central planning authority. Until now, the authority primarily oversaw B-SMILE, a special purpose vehicle handling large-scale infrastructure projects.

M. Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of GBA, confirmed that the water resilience project will now be under the civic body’s purview, with funds routed through the government.

Funding and scope of the project

The World Bank has approved a loan of $426 million (around ₹3,500 crore) under the Programme-for-Results financing model, to be disbursed between 2026 and 2031. The total project cost is pegged at ₹5,000 crore, with the Karnataka government expected to contribute the remaining funds.

The initiative focuses on:

  • Strengthening storm-water drains (SWDs)

  • Building sewage treatment plants (STPs)

    • Initially, the BBMP was responsible for implementing the project and had floated tenders and issued work orders. Following the BBMP’s dissolution, the GBA has now taken over SWD-related works, while the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will handle STPs.

    Ensuring smooth transition and implementation

    The World Bank was initially informed that the BBMP would implement the project. Transferring responsibilities to new bodies posed potential risks to loan disbursal, which is tied to performance outcomes. To prevent complications, the GBA has assumed direct leadership of the project.

    Although B-SMILE could have managed the project, the authority opted against it due to the SPV’s existing workload of four large-scale projects. Instead, GBA plans to deploy more engineers and place the project under the supervision of one of its Special Commissioners.

    Climate resilience at the core

    The project emphasises climate resilience, aligning with the World Bank’s focus on climate financing. The Karnataka government has highlighted its Climate Action Plan (CAP) as a guiding framework. The Climate Action Cell (CAC), previously part of BBMP, has been strengthened with new deputations and fellows to implement flood mitigation and other climate-related initiatives.

    Conclusion

    With the GBA taking the reins, the Bengaluru Water Resilience Project aims to deliver modern, climate-resilient infrastructure, reduce flooding risks, and enhance the city’s preparedness against water stress, marking a significant milestone for Bengaluru’s urban governance.