All Things Policy Does the Greater Bengaluru Authority mean a Better Bengaluru?
Sep 30, 2025
Mathew Idiculla, a lawyer and urban governance expert, discusses the implications of the Greater Bengaluru Authority. He explains the rationale behind restructuring Bengaluru's governance, outlining how it splits the BBMP into five corporations. Mathew dives into the functions of the GBA, including citywide planning and coordination. He evaluates the balance of power between the GBA and the state, and considers the potential benefits for citizens in service delivery. Comparing Bengaluru's model to other cities, he highlights the challenges and prospects of decentralization.
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Two-Tier Restructuring Of Bangalore
- The Greater Bangalore Governance Act splits BBMP into five municipal corporations and creates a Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) above them.
- The law aims to decentralize daily services while creating a citywide integrating layer for coordination.
GBA Creates Formal Chain Of Command
- The GBA formalizes what was previously ad-hoc coordination between parastatal agencies and can legally direct them.
- It is assigned planning, coordination, and administrative roles including directing BWSSB, BESCOM and others.
Limited Devolution To Local Corporations
- Corporations retain largely the same powers they had and may even lose influence because of the GBA sitting above them.
- The GBA is effectively a subset of the state, so devolution from the state is limited.