Citizen groups criticize government’s plan to split BBMP

As the Karnataka government moves forward with plans to split the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) into smaller corporations, citizen groups and urban experts have raised concerns over the decision. They have suggested that elections to the BBMP Council be conducted first, followed by the drafting of a vision document that reflects citizens’ aspirations for the city. Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot recently approved the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024, which paves the way for dividing BBMP into up to seven smaller corporations. Sources suggest that the Congress-led government is inclined to split it into three corporations.

Citizen activist N.S. Mukunda, founder of Bengaluru Praja Vedike, expressed concern about the government’s approach. “Why can’t the people of Bengaluru decide how their city should be governed?” Mukunda said, criticizing the government for imposing projects on the city, like the elevated corridor and tunnel roads, despite public opposition.

Sandeep Anirudhan, convenor of Bengaluru Town Hall, also criticized the move, calling the proposal to split the city a “flawed idea by design.” He drew comparisons with Delhi’s experiment, which he argued had failed. Anirudhan also pointed out the delay in BBMP elections as indicative of a lack of interest in grassroots democracy. Both activists argue that the new Act consolidates state control over local governance, violating constitutional provisions and undermining democracy. Many civic groups are preparing to challenge the Act in court.