Chief Minister Siddaramaiah recently marked a significant step in Bengaluru’s administrative evolution by launching the Greater Bangalore Authority (GBA) at its inaugural meeting. Held at the Kempegowda Municipal Hall, the event saw the Chief Minister lay out a comprehensive agenda for the five newly formed municipal corporations, aiming to streamline governance and improve city management.
Acknowledging Bengaluru’s status as one of the world’s fastest-growing cities, with a population nearing 1.40 crore, Siddaramaiah emphasized the necessity of a decentralized administrative structure. He noted that a single corporation could no longer effectively manage such a vast and dynamic metropolis. This initiative follows recommendations from committees formed during his previous tenure, ultimately leading to the GBA’s establishment and the creation of five distinct municipal corporations.
The GBA, operational since May 15, is designed to foster citizen-centric governance. Siddaramaiah stated, “We have formed BGA in accordance with the wishes of democracy with the aim of providing administration that is conducive to the people and fulfills their aspirations. This will make decentralization of power possible.”
Key priorities for the GBA, as outlined by the Chief Minister, include enhancing waste management, boosting municipal revenue, alleviating traffic congestion, and ensuring city cleanliness. He stressed the importance of developing roads, drains, footpaths, and parks to set new benchmarks in good governance.
Furthermore, Siddaramaiah highlighted the need for seamless coordination between state and civic bodies, including agencies like BDA, BWSSB, BESCOM, and BMRCL, to ensure efficient service delivery to citizens. He also called for the identification and construction of adequate administrative offices for the new corporations, prioritizing proper garbage disposal, cleanliness, and maintaining the quality of infrastructure development.
To tackle urban mobility challenges, directives were issued to formulate and implement plans for improving last-mile connectivity, particularly around metro stations, to reduce traffic. The Transport Minister has been tasked with reviewing the deployment of smaller buses for this purpose.
While the GBA represents a forward-thinking administrative reform, it has faced criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). State president BY Vijayendra raised concerns about transparency and preparedness, questioning the planning and groundwork for the authority’s operations. He also criticized the government’s focus on external comparisons rather than addressing immediate civic issues like road maintenance.
Responding to the criticism, Siddaramaiah defended the GBA as a move towards progress and decentralization, emphasizing that democratic strength lies in dialogue and collaboration. He urged all stakeholders to participate constructively to achieve the goal of superior civic facilities and effective governance for Bengaluru’s residents.