A new signboard of GBA replaces the old BBMP board at its head office on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: K. MURALI KUMAR
Bengaluru entered a new chapter on Tuesday as the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) was officially dissolved at the age of 18, paving the way for five new corporations that will oversee civic administration across 720.9 sq km.
In July, the State government had issued a draft notification proposing to divide the city’s civic jurisdiction into five corporations — North, South, East, West, and Central. The division was based on parameters such as area, population, population density, and projected property tax to ensure better governance. Until ward delimitation is completed, the existing wards will remain in use for administrative purposes.
On Tuesday, the five corporations formally came into existence after minor corrections to the draft notification, which included expanding the area by 8.9 sq km to 720.9 sq km. The modifications were made in response to objections and suggestions from citizens and civic groups.
A senior government source told The Hindu that nearly 60 objections had been submitted to the drafting committee. For instance, Kudlu ward, which had been omitted in the draft notification, has now been included.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced on Tuesday that each corporation will be divided into two zones. While a commissioner will head each corporation, they will be assisted by joint commissioners, with deputy commissioners heading each zone. The number of divisions has been increased to 50, and the sub-divisions to 150. Mr. Shivakumar further stated that mayors will now have a term of 2.5 years.
On Friday, the State government appointed commissioners, joint commissioners, and deputy commissioners for the newly created corporations. Rajendra Cholan P. will lead the Central City Corporation, Ramesh D.S. the East City Corporation, Pommala Sunil Kumar the North City Corporation, Ramesh K.N. the South City Corporation, and Latha R. the West City Corporation. Additional commissioners for development include Pandve Rahul Tukaram (South), Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar (East), Digvijay Bhodke (West), and Rahul Sharanappa Sankanur (Central).
Mr. Shivakumar also revealed that land has been earmarked for building head offices for each corporation, with construction scheduled to begin on November 2. All head offices will follow a uniform design.
“Officially, I invite the public to design the head office of the corporation. The best design will be selected and awarded. We are also inviting the public to design a logo for the GBA,” the Deputy Chief Minister announced.
He further reiterated that the revenue generated by each corporation will remain with that corporation. For those corporations with limited revenue generation, the government will provide assistance. The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) will be responsible only for mega projects.
This notification follows the establishment of the 75-member Greater Bengaluru Authority, headed by the Chief Minister, just a week earlier. IAS officer M. Maheshwar Rao has been appointed as GBA Commissioner and Member Secretary.
Other appointments to GBA include Munish Moudgil as Special Commissioner (Administration, Revenue, and IT), Suralkar Vikas Kishor as Special Commissioner (Health and Education), Dr. Harish Kumar K. as Special Commissioner (Finance) and Chief Financial Officer, and Preeti Gehlot as Special Commissioner (FECC, Elections, Disaster Management, Public Relations, and Coordination).
Additionally, the government has constituted a four-member ward delimitation committee tasked with submitting the draft delimitation of wards by September 23, with a cap of 150 wards per corporation. The final notification will be issued on November 1, 2025, followed by reservation allotments by November 30. If the process goes as planned, municipal elections are likely to be held in December, subject to the Election Commission’s approval after reservations are finalised.
Published – September 02, 2025 10:50 pm IST
