The current 225 wards under BBMP will fall under the jurisdiction of the GBA. The Greater Bengaluru Governance Act allows for the formation of multiple municipal corporations within this structure. Each corporation will be overseen by an administrator, and a new coordinating body – the GBA – will handle city-wide affairs.
Published May 14, 2025 | 6:10 PM ⚊ Updated May 14, 2025 | 6:10 PM
The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill was passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council in March 2025
Synopsis: The Karnataka government has officially notified that the ‘Greater Bengaluru Authority’ will replace the ‘Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’ from 15 May. The GBA, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah as chairman and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar as vice-chairman, will serve as a central coordinating body within a decentralised governance model comprising multiple municipal corporations, as outlined in the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act passed earlier this year.
The Karnataka government has issued an official notification stating that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be replaced by the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) from 15 May.
“In exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (3) of section 1 of the Greater Bangalore Administration Act, 2024 (Karnataka Act No. 36 of 2025), the Government of Karnataka hereby directs that the said Act/all the sections and provisions of the Act shall come into force from ‘Date: 15-05-2025’,” the order issued on Wednesday, 14 May reads.
Under the new governance structure, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will serve as chairman of the GBA, while Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru District-in-charge Minister DK Shivakumar will be the vice-chairman.
The current 225 wards under BBMP will fall under the jurisdiction of the GBA. The Greater Bengaluru Governance Act allows for the formation of multiple municipal corporations within this structure.
Each corporation will be overseen by an administrator, and a new coordinating body – the GBA – will handle city-wide affairs.
Government sources said that Tushar Giri Nath, Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department and current BBMP administrator, will act as Chief Executive Officer of the GBA.
Maheshwar Rao, BBMP Chief Commissioner, is expected to lead the wider municipal region under the new setup.
The Greater Bengaluru Governance Bill was passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly and Council in March 2025. Initially introduced in July 2024, it was referred to a joint legislature committee after facing resistance.
The committee submitted its report on 5 March, paving the way for the bill’s passage.
Once approved by the legislature, the bill was sent to Governor Thawarchand Gehlot for assent.
Faced with public and political opposition, the Governor initially returned the bill seeking clarifications. After the state government submitted its response – the contents of which have not been made public – the Governor granted assent on 24 April.
Speaking in the Assembly, DK Shivakumar defended the bill as a necessary reform:
“The city of Bengaluru has expanded beyond the vision of its founder, Kempegowda. It cannot be stopped now, nor in the future. Yelahanka and Kengeri suburbs are now part of the municipal jurisdiction. Given Bengaluru’s expansion, we are taking steps to decentralise its administration.”
The existing ₹3,000 crore allocation to BBMP will be redirected to the GBA for development work.
Opposition parties and citizen groups have criticised the legislation. The Bengaluru Town Hall Forum submitted a letter to the Governor opposing the bill, citing concerns over reduced citizen participation.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA CK Ramamurthy had earlier called for BBMP elections before implementing the new system.
BBMP has not held elections for over five years. The BJP has petitioned the Supreme Court demanding immediate polls, alleging deliberate delays by the government.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
