The 40th report of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly’s Committee on Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions, led by Rizwan Arshad, has spotlighted critical lapses in the Urban Development Department’s implementation of underground utility mapping in Bengaluru. The report, based on 2022 audit objections by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), was tabled during the Belagavi session.
One of the key findings is the absence of a comprehensive policy for underground utility mapping in the city. The report underscores that service providers operating in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) limits are not mandated to maintain or update utility maps regularly, leading to outdated and inconsistent data.
Additionally, discrepancies in Geographic Information System (GIS) data collected by major service providers such as BWSSB, BESCOM, and KPTCL were highlighted. The report points to the lack of timely updates and verification of this data, further complicating utility management.
These shortcomings are seen as significant obstacles to effective urban planning and infrastructure management in Bengaluru, a city that continues to grapple with rapid urbanization and infrastructure challenges.
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