In a landmark administrative overhaul, Bengaluru has officially become the second Indian metropolitan city to move away from the traditional single municipal body system. The Karnataka government has notified the establishment of five separate corporations to govern the city, alongside the creation of a new umbrella agency—the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

The decision, hailed by Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar as “historic,” aims to streamline urban governance in the Greater Bengaluru Area, which spans 721 square kilometres, including Kudlu in Anekal. The new system is expected to decentralise administration, though experts warn of possible teething troubles in its initial implementation.

Formation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority

The GBA will function as a coordinating body, while the five corporations will independently manage their areas. Immediately after the government issued the final notification on Tuesday, new commissioners were appointed for each corporation. Five senior IAS officers were also assigned to the GBA to ensure continuity and supervision.

The government has simultaneously redeployed technical and non-technical staff to facilitate a smooth transition. For the time being, citizens will see no major change in day-to-day services, as existing systems will continue until fresh budgets are announced by the individual corporations.

Service disruption and administrative challenges

Despite assurances, disruptions in service delivery, infrastructure projects, and grievance redressal are expected during the transition. A significant portion of manpower will be devoted to drawing new ward boundaries, updating electoral rolls, and clarifying roles within the new structure.

As per the notification, each corporation will cover between two and ten Assembly constituencies, with ward counts ranging from 17 to 64. This restructuring is designed to improve local governance, but in practice, the corporations may be limited to maintenance work due to constrained resources. Larger infrastructure projects will fall under the jurisdiction of the GBA.

Political impact and citizen concerns

Shivakumar suggested that the restructuring could create nearly 500 wards across the city, paving the way for around 500 new councillors. This, he said, would give rise to a new generation of political leaders and broaden representation in the city’s governance.

While some observers see this as a boon for political aspirants, others have criticised the move as over-ambitious. Critics argue that the government has undertaken a massive restructuring without addressing fundamental issues such as extending the GBA’s limits to include developed panchayat areas on the city’s periphery. Sources indicate that these areas may eventually be absorbed into the GBA once panchayat terms end, but the timeline remains uncertain.

Interestingly, opposition parties, who had earlier opposed the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, have largely remained silent on the final notification. The Act served as the foundation for this governance reform, despite walkouts by opposition members during its passage.

Panel to draw ward boundaries

To facilitate the transition, the state government has formed a four-member delimitation commission tasked with redrawing ward boundaries across the five corporations. The commission has been given a three-month deadline to complete its work. The new wards will form the basis for upcoming municipal elections, which are expected to shape the city’s political landscape for years to come.

Conclusion

The restructuring of Bengaluru’s governance model marks a turning point for India’s tech capital. With five independent corporations and a central coordinating body in the form of the GBA, the city is poised for a new era of decentralised administration. However, the success of this ambitious model will depend on how effectively the government manages the transition and addresses the concerns of both citizens and political stakeholders.