Bengaluru: GBA begins new civic governance structure with challenges ahead

Five IAS officers formally took charge on Wednesday as commissioners of the newly carved municipal corporations in the Greater Bengaluru Area (GBA), marking the official start of the city’s new governance system.

The new commissioners face daunting challenges — from setting up administration from scratch to optimising revenue and tackling civic woes such as flooding, potholes, broken streetlights, and unpruned trees during the ongoing monsoon.

Revenue and funds allocation

While the corporations will oversee property tax collection and other revenue streams, officials said much of the money will go towards routine maintenance and salaries. Big-ticket infrastructure projects will remain under the control of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), funded largely by state government grants.

Preliminary estimates show:

  • Bengaluru East City Corporation: ₹912 crore (highest revenue, aided by IT and multinational firms along the Outer Ring Road)
  • Bengaluru South: ₹733 crore
  • Bengaluru Central: ₹659 crore
  • Other corporations: Around ₹550 crore each

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar directed the new commissioners to begin their day early, inspecting roads and footpaths before office hours.

Meet the commissioners

Rajendra Cholan P – Bengaluru Central

A 2008-batch IAS officer, Rajendra Cholan previously led Bengaluru Smart City Ltd, where he revamped central roads and launched an integrated command-and-control room for citizen grievances. He will also continue as secretary to DyCM DK Shivakumar. His jurisdiction spans congested Gandhinagar to upscale MG Road.

Ramesh DS – Bengaluru East

Promoted to IAS in 2010, Ramesh DS has three decades of administrative service, including postings as Deputy Commissioner in Davanagere and Chamarajanagar, and Regional Commissioner of Mysore. His jurisdiction includes Tin Factory, Varthur, Marathahalli, and Hoodi — areas battling rapid development and traffic chaos.

P Sunil Kumar – Bengaluru North

An electrical engineer and former Tata Consultancy Services employee, Sunil Kumar secured UPSC All-India Rank 18 before joining the IAS. He has served as DC in Koppal, Vijayapura, and Bagalkot. His new area includes Pulakeshinagar, Yelahanka, and Byatarayanapura, combining old city zones with fast-expanding suburbs.

Ramesh KN – Bengaluru South

A 2012-batch IAS officer, Ramesh KN earlier served as Zonal Commissioner of Mahadevapura, where he earned a reputation for being responsive to citizens. With experience in education, tourism, and elections, he now oversees Bengaluru South, home to residential neighbourhoods and major employment hubs.

Dr Rajendra KV – Bengaluru West

Belonging to the 2013 batch, Dr Rajendra KV has worked extensively in rural development and as DC of Mysore and Mangalore. A resident of Basaveshwaranagar, he now takes charge of Bengaluru West, home to nearly 45 lakh residents but with limited revenue capacity.

Conclusion

The appointment of commissioners marks a crucial first step in the GBA’s new administrative framework. While revenue potential varies across the five corporations, all commissioners face the common challenge of balancing limited budgets with soaring civic demands. Their performance in the coming months will shape how effectively Bengaluru transitions into its new governance model