BBMP designates 10 zonal offices as Greater Bengaluru Authority beckons

Bengaluru: With the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act set to kick in on September 2, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has finalised office spaces for the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and the 10 zonal offices that will report to the newly carved five corporations.

In an order issued on Friday, the BBMP said Annexe 1 and Annexe 2 buildings at its Hudson Circle head office will house the GBA, headed by the Chief Minister. The authority will function as the apex body, co-ordinating across the five corporations.

The BBMP stressed that the identified zonal offices are a temporary arrangement until the corporations move into permanent premises. Each corporation will have two zonal offices.

The 10 zonal offices are: Bengaluru Central–East zonal office and BBMP head office Annexe 3; Bengaluru East–Mahadevapura zonal office and KR Puram Chief Engineer's office; Bengaluru West–RR Nagar zonal office and Palike Soudha, Chandra Layout; Bengaluru North–Yelahanka and Dasarahalli zonal offices; Bengaluru South–South zonal office, Jayanagar and Bommanahalli zonal office.

Each corporation will be helmed by an IAS officer who is not less than secretary rank, who will sit in one of the zonal offices. The top official will be supported by a special commissioner, joint commissioner, and assistant commissioners. Two chief engineers in every corporation will cover not only roads, but also lakes and storm water drains.

In essence, the corporations will handle maintenance, while the GBA will oversee development works.