Bengaluru West City Corporation Unveils Rs 4,732 Crore Budget with Focus on Revenue Mobilisation
The Bengaluru West City Corporation (BWCC), the largest among the five city corporations in Bengaluru with 112 wards, presented a substantial budget of Rs 4,732 crore on Saturday. This financial plan places a strong emphasis on bolstering internal revenue streams, with khata regularisation identified as a pivotal driver for resource mobilisation.
Khata Regularisation: A Key Revenue Generator
BWCC Commissioner KV Rajendra highlighted that converting B-khata properties, which lack clear titles, into A-khata properties, which are legally compliant, is expected to generate approximately Rs 563 crore this fiscal year. This initiative could become one of the single largest contributors to the corporation's revenue basket.
"There are about 2.5 lakh B-khata properties within BWCC limits. Even if 15,000 of the 1.5 lakh larger properties convert to A-khata, we can collect nearly Rs 3 lakh from each property, potentially yielding around Rs 600 crore," Rajendra explained. He noted that nearly 3,000 applications have been received, with about 800 at the citizen payment stage, and anticipates more conversions as confidence grows.
Financial Fundamentals and Tax Compliance
The corporation is making earnest efforts to fix its financial fundamentals by focusing on property-related revenues. Currently, revenue from tax-related income, including property tax, is pegged at Rs 1,074 crore, accounting for 23% of total revenue sources. Dependence on central and state grants stands at 30%.
Beyond khata conversion, BWCC aims to achieve a revenue target of Rs 1,964 crore through enhanced tax compliance and plugging assessment gaps. The rollout of online systems for property owners to submit documents and obtain approvals digitally is projected to add Rs 18 crore in revenue.
Wider Economic Benefits and Digital Initiatives
Officials assert that khata regularisation could unlock broader economic advantages, such as bringing more properties into the formal tax system, facilitating higher property valuations, improving access to institutional finance for homeowners, and boosting real estate activity in western Bengaluru.
Additionally, civic assets like community halls and land parcels will be monetised through a contactless digital platform to strengthen non-tax revenues.
Infrastructure and Civic Projects
The budget allocates funds for various infrastructure upgrades, including road widening projects totalling Rs 8 crore. Key roads to be widened include:
- Ittamadu Road: from 10m to 18m over 5km
- Kurubarahalli Main Road: from 12m to 24m over 1.4km
- Mahalakshmipura Access Road: from 15m to 24m over 3km
- Hanumanthnagar Main Road: from 12m to 18m over 4.5km
- Herohalli Access Road: from 9.5m to 15m over 0.9km
- Thyagarajanagar Main Road: from 12m to 24m over 1.3km
- Road from Hosakerehalli Main Road to Outer Ring Road: from 12m to 24m over 1.9km
- Road from Katriguppe Main Road to 50 Feet Road Vidyapeeta Circle: from 12m to 24m over 0.8km
Additional Civic Initiatives
Other notable allocations in the budget include:
- Mosquito Control: Rs 9 crore reserved for deploying gangmen and autos for spraying, fogging, and power spraying programmes division-wise.
- Parks: Maintenance of 496 parks with Rs 47.5 crore, upgradation with Rs 6.3 crore, and plans to establish parks for specially-abled persons and pets.
- Educational Tour: High school students from corporation schools will embark on a three-day 'Karnataka Darshana' tour covering historical sites in Kituru Karnataka, Kalyan Karnataka, and coastal regions.
- Bridge Demolition and Reconstruction: A dilapidated bridge in Vidyanagar (ward no 39 – Chokkasandra) under the Peenya Industrial Area Division will be demolished and rebuilt at a cost of Rs 1 crore.
- Repair Works: Rs 3 crore allocated to complete the construction of an observation tower in Kumaraswamy Park, and Rs 5 crore for the development of Dr Rajkumar Kalakshetra in Rajajinagar, established in memory of actor Dr Rajkumar.
This comprehensive budget reflects BWCC's strategic approach to enhancing revenue and improving civic infrastructure across its jurisdiction.
