Community Members Weigh In on Shift From BBMP to Greater Bengaluru Authority

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike was dissolved in May 2025 and replaced by the Chief Minister-led Greater Bengaluru Authority under the Greater Bengaluru Governance Act, 2024. This move ended the single municipal body that had governed the city for years and introduced a new structure residents must now navigate for basic services.

Three-tier system takes shape

The city's governance now operates through the Greater Bengaluru Authority at the pan-city level, five new municipal corporations named Central, East, West, North and South, and ward committees. Although the Act allows for up to seven corporations, the Karnataka Cabinet settled on five to decentralise decision-making. As of mid-2025 these corporations function without elected councils or mayors because civic elections have not been held.

People living in former BBMP wards report that routine matters such as property tax payments and building approvals now route through the new corporations. The absence of elected representatives means ward committees currently handle local input, a change many residents track closely when they seek clearances or report infrastructure issues.

Property rules updated alongside governance changes

The state Cabinet granted legal status to B-Khata properties issued between 2009 and September 2024. It also waived the requirement for Occupancy Certificates on plots under 1,200 sq ft. Owners of smaller plots say these steps remove long-standing hurdles that previously delayed sales or bank loans, while larger property holders continue to follow the older certificate process.

These decisions affect daily decisions for families planning home extensions or transfers. With the five corporations still without elected leadership, residents follow updates from the Greater Bengaluru Authority on how the new bodies will eventually manage such applications.

Elections for the municipal corporations remain pending. Community members continue to monitor announcements from the state government on timelines for choosing mayors and councillors under the new arrangement.