Decade-long BDA, BMRDA merger plan gains momentum

 The proposal to merge Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), which was on the backburner for years, has now gained some momentum.

This nearly decade-long proposal was discussed with BMRDA and BDA officials at a recent board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. 

The proposal, which was mooted about 10 years ago, with an aim to expand BDA’s jurisdiction till Ramanagar and other areas of the undivided Bangalore Rural district, is now being discussed in the light of BDA working on the Comprehensive Development Plan 2025. 

At the meeting, it was pointed out that the role of BMRDA was presently limited to issuing no objection certificates to builders, which BDA performs in areas under its jurisdiction. But now, the government wants one body to plan the City’s growth and also focus on the outskirts of the ever-expanding City.

‘Initial phase’

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Satya Murty, Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, said, “The proposal is still in the conceptual stage. It is not easy to abolish existing government institutions to create new ones. It will happen, but will take some time.”

Murty said that the pros and cons of this proposal need to be weighed and things need to be well-planned for the next 10 to 15 years. “We have to study trends outside India, plan for the future and then take a decision as both the organisations have their own defined roles,” Murty said.

Meanwhile, urban planning experts and civic activists feel that it is good to go for the merger if it will enable better planning in the City. However, the challenge is to solve the jurisdictional dispute, says Kathyayini Chamaraj, executive trustee of CIVIC-Bangalore. 

“The BDA, BMRDA merger can prove advantageous as it is good to reduce the number of agencies. When the Bangalore Metropolitan Planning Committee was being formed, it was decided to shut down the BMRDA. But the State government amended the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Amendment Act and decided to continue with BMRDA.”

Revathy Ashok, Managing Trustee and CEO of Bangalore Political Action Committee, said that though the proposal seems a good one, no decision should be taken without prior debate and understanding.