Bengaluru gets 75-member Greater Bengaluru Authority to coordinate five new corporations

Bengaluru’s urban governance has entered a new chapter with the constitution of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), a 75-member body established to oversee the city’s recently created five corporations. The Karnataka government issued the order on August 26 under the Greater Bengaluru Administration Act, 2024.

The GBA will be chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in an ex-officio capacity, while Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar will serve as vice-chairman. The body’s composition brings together Union Ministers, state ministers, MPs, MLAs from Bengaluru, and the mayors of the five corporations, ensuring representation across tiers of government.

Also read: BBMP set to be dissolved within 120 days, making way for Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) with multiple corporations

Chief Commissioner of the newly formed GBA

M Maheshwar Rao, former Chief Commissioner of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), has been appointed Chief Commissioner of the newly formed authority with immediate effect. His role will involve coordinating governance across the five corporations to streamline administration and urban development.

The five corporations, created under the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act which came into effect on May 15, include Bengaluru West, South, North, East, and Central. While the law permits up to seven corporations, the government has opted to begin with five.

Mayors and deputy mayors of these corporations will serve 30-month terms. The GBA will function as the central coordinating body, addressing inter-corporation challenges and enabling more efficient delivery of civic services. This marks a significant structural shift aimed at managing Bengaluru’s rapid growth and complex urban needs.