<p class="bodytext">The Karnataka government’s proposal to establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to oversee large-scale infrastructure projects in Bengaluru appears, at first glance, to be a well-intentioned move to streamline urban development. However, this could lead to further fragmenting governance and diluting accountability. As discussions about the SPV continue, a critical question emerges: What will remain of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and what role will it play in managing the city’s affairs? The proposed SPV, modelled after the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), is expected to be announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his budget speech. It will oversee mega projects like tunnel roads, elevated corridors, and other ambitious infrastructure projects. Over the years, BBMP has been systematically stripped of its responsibilities, with various parastatal organisations taking over functions like urban planning, water supply, local transport, and power distribution. In 2020, the formation of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd, further eroded the BBMP’s role, leaving it with limited responsibilities. It remains to be seen if the scattering of responsibilities can enable BBMP to focus on its core roles in areas such as roads.</p>.New independent govt entity to handle Bengaluru's mega infra projects.<p class="bodytext">The responsibilities proposed for the new SPV are already vested in the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA). According to its mission statement, BDA is tasked with transforming Bengaluru into a global destination with high-quality infrastructure and sustainable development. However, over the years, BDA has evolved into little more than a real estate agency, focussed on creating layouts and selling sites rather than driving holistic urban development. The establishment of the SPV could further complicate Bengaluru’s governance. It will add another level of bureaucracy, leading to red tape, overlapping responsibilities, and a lack of clarity in decision-making. Bengaluru’s future depends not on fragmented bodies but on a robust, cohesive, and empowered municipal governance system capable of addressing the challenges of a modern metropolis.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While the SPV may offer a temporary fix, sidelining the BBMP could be counterproductive in the long term. That said, it is important to acknowledge the BBMP’s failures that have eroded public trust and prompted the government to seek alternative solutions. However, fragmenting governance and creating multiple layers of authority is not the answer. Such an approach risks undermining accountability and transparency which are already in short supply. Instead of adding more bureaucratic layers, the government should focus on reforming and strengthening BBMP. It should crack the whip, streamline BBMP’s operations, and restore its capacity to serve the city effectively. Only then can Bengaluru realise its potential and truly emerge as a global city.</p>
<p class="bodytext">The Karnataka government’s proposal to establish a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to oversee large-scale infrastructure projects in Bengaluru appears, at first glance, to be a well-intentioned move to streamline urban development. However, this could lead to further fragmenting governance and diluting accountability. As discussions about the SPV continue, a critical question emerges: What will remain of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), and what role will it play in managing the city’s affairs? The proposed SPV, modelled after the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA), is expected to be announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in his budget speech. It will oversee mega projects like tunnel roads, elevated corridors, and other ambitious infrastructure projects. Over the years, BBMP has been systematically stripped of its responsibilities, with various parastatal organisations taking over functions like urban planning, water supply, local transport, and power distribution. In 2020, the formation of Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Ltd, further eroded the BBMP’s role, leaving it with limited responsibilities. It remains to be seen if the scattering of responsibilities can enable BBMP to focus on its core roles in areas such as roads.</p>.New independent govt entity to handle Bengaluru's mega infra projects.<p class="bodytext">The responsibilities proposed for the new SPV are already vested in the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA). According to its mission statement, BDA is tasked with transforming Bengaluru into a global destination with high-quality infrastructure and sustainable development. However, over the years, BDA has evolved into little more than a real estate agency, focussed on creating layouts and selling sites rather than driving holistic urban development. The establishment of the SPV could further complicate Bengaluru’s governance. It will add another level of bureaucracy, leading to red tape, overlapping responsibilities, and a lack of clarity in decision-making. Bengaluru’s future depends not on fragmented bodies but on a robust, cohesive, and empowered municipal governance system capable of addressing the challenges of a modern metropolis.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While the SPV may offer a temporary fix, sidelining the BBMP could be counterproductive in the long term. That said, it is important to acknowledge the BBMP’s failures that have eroded public trust and prompted the government to seek alternative solutions. However, fragmenting governance and creating multiple layers of authority is not the answer. Such an approach risks undermining accountability and transparency which are already in short supply. Instead of adding more bureaucratic layers, the government should focus on reforming and strengthening BBMP. It should crack the whip, streamline BBMP’s operations, and restore its capacity to serve the city effectively. Only then can Bengaluru realise its potential and truly emerge as a global city.</p>
