In an effort to streamline the growth of the city and its surroundings, Karnataka will merge seven municipalities into the existing Bangalore City Corporation (BCC). It will cover an expanse of 696.17 sq km. | |
| The state cabinet on Wednesday approved the formation of the Greater Bangalore City Corporation (GBCC) consisting of the BCC, municipalities of Byatrayanapura, Rajarajeshwarinagar, Krishnarajapuram, Yelahanka, Kengeri, Bommanahalli and Mahadevapura and 103 villages that have witnessed development to the extent of 30 per cent. |
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| Due to lack of space inside the city, IT companies and real estate firms have moved into these municipalities, resulting in an unplanned and unregulated growth. The government faced hurdles in creating adequate infrastructure in the municipalities owing to poor resource mobilisation. |
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| "After the merger, the number of wards in GBCC will be increased to 150 from the present 100. Another 5.68 million people will be serviced by the GBCC. The merger is a forward looking decision as the population in the seven municipalities is expected to touch 8 million by 2010," Karnataka's home minister M P Prakash told reporters after the cabinet meeting. |
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| However, the merger requires an amendment to the Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act. "The amendment will be effected at the earliest to pave the way for the merger," he added. |
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| The minister contended that the creation of a single entity was necessary to provide a comprehensive approach for the city's development. The BCC's jurisdiction extends to over 245 square kilometres at present. After the merger, it will reach 696 sq km. A similar exercise was carried out in 1995 when 27 wards were brought under the BCC. |
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| The cabinet also entrusted the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority with the task of preparing the masterplan for the growth of Anekal, Hoskote, Magadi, Malur and Kanakapura towns around the city to complement the growth of GBCC. |
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| "The development plans of the five towns and GBCC should be complementary. We do not want to repeat the past mistakes. We want an integrated approach," Prakash stated. |
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| The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board has already taken up a project to provide drinking water to the seven new municipalities to be included under the GBCC. Elections to the BCC, which is due in November, are expected to be delayed owing to the merger. |
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