In a landmark decision that will reshape Bengaluru's urban landscape, the Karnataka state cabinet has approved a comprehensive restructuring of the city's municipal administration. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be divided into five separate municipal corporations, collectively comprising 369 electoral wards.
Cabinet Nod for Bengaluru's Administrative Overhaul
The crucial decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday. This move represents the most significant administrative reorganization of Bengaluru in recent decades and aims to improve governance and service delivery in India's technology capital.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H K Patil confirmed the development, stating that the cabinet has given its formal approval for the creation of five municipal corporations within the Greater Bengaluru area. The restructuring follows recommendations from a committee specifically constituted to examine BBMP's administrative reorganization.
Ward Distribution and Implementation Timeline
The newly approved structure will see the 369 wards distributed among the five corporations, though the specific allocation for each corporation hasn't been finalized yet. The cabinet has directed officials to prepare a detailed plan for this distribution and submit it for approval.
According to sources familiar with the development, the government is working toward implementing this new administrative framework before the next BBMP elections. The current BBMP council's term ended in September 2020, and since then, administrators have been managing the civic body's affairs.
The cabinet has also decided to establish a Bengaluru Metropolitan Governance Committee, which will be headed by the Chief Minister. This high-level committee will oversee the coordination between the five corporations and ensure cohesive development across the metropolitan region.
Historical Context and Future Implications
This restructuring marks a return to Bengaluru's administrative history when the city previously functioned under multiple municipal bodies. Before the formation of BBMP in 2007, Bengaluru was administered by the Bangalore City Corporation along with several smaller municipal councils and village panchayats in the surrounding areas.
The decision to split BBMP into five corporations comes after years of debate about the challenges of managing Bengaluru's rapid growth through a single administrative body. Proponents argue that smaller, more focused municipal corporations will be better equipped to address local issues and improve civic amenities.
However, the reorganization also raises questions about resource allocation, coordination mechanisms, and potential bureaucratic duplication. The success of this ambitious restructuring will depend on careful implementation and clear delineation of responsibilities among the five corporations.
The Karnataka government's move represents a bold experiment in urban governance that could potentially serve as a model for other metropolitan cities in India facing similar administrative challenges due to rapid urbanization and population growth.
