New chief in place, BBMP reshuffles department heads

Bengaluru: After M Maheshwar Rao took charge as the head of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the civic body implemented a minor reshuffle of IAS officers, assigning dual responsibilities to enhance efficiency.

As per the internal order, Surolkar Vikas Kishore will now head both the health and cleanliness department as well as the education wing.

Naveen Kumar Raj, who currently serves as the zonal commissioner of Dasarahalli, has been given additional charge of the administration wing, which oversees the recruitment and transfer of over 26,000 staff. Avinash Menon Rajendran has been relieved of his duties in the administration wing to focus solely on the projects section.

Preeti Gehlot has been assigned responsibility for forest, environment, and climate change management. The new responsibilities will take effect on Saturday.

Within a week, the BBMP is also expected to make changes in its engineering section, especially after the state government approved the formation of a special purpose vehicle for undertaking major projects.