Bangalore-specific municipal act on cards

A city-specific municipal act is in the offing for Bangalore and a draft copy is in discussion stage.

Elaborating on this A Ravindra, advisor to chief minister on infrastructure development said, “All metropolitan cities have their own municipal acts and they follow that act.

In Bangalore however, it is not there. We follow same municipal act that is made for the entire state.”

He was speaking at the release of his book ‘Bangalore Multiplicity’  on Wednesday. Further, he stressed that such a body would help in better co-ordination with stakeholders.

“We have many bodies governing the city such as Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Bangalore Development authority. With poor co-ordination between them, it is difficult to see development,” he said.

The draft plan has suggested some radical measures. “We have asked for mayor in council, who will also hold executive powers. There are reforms needed within BBMP and other bodies. Since the city is growing in a multi-faceted manner, we will need one body, which can co-ordinate between all of them,” he said.

He also called for reforms and a separate legislature for the city along with setting up of metropolitan planning committee.

“The committee will be the body that will channelise the process of all inter and intra departmental policies and decisions. It will also ensure better communication between the stakeholders, which is not happening now,” he said.

“The draft is ready and is subject to discussion,” he added.