Greater Bengaluru Authority Seeks Corporate and Philanthropic Partnerships for City Infrastructure
The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has launched a significant initiative to deepen public-private partnerships in urban development by inviting companies with corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds and philanthropic organizations to directly engage in civic infrastructure projects across Bengaluru. This move aims to leverage private sector resources for designing, implementing, and maintaining urban amenities, with GBA serving as a single-window coordinator for all proposals.
Framework for CSR and Philanthropy in Civic Projects
Under this new programme, eligible entities can undertake a range of responsibilities, including preparing detailed project reports (DPRs), executing construction works, and maintaining completed projects for up to two years. Organizations have the flexibility to handle one, two, or all three of these phases. The initiative covers all five newly formed city corporations within Bengaluru, creating a streamlined approach to urban development.
According to a public notice issued on January 7, interested organizations can submit an expression of interest (EOI) online through designated channels. They may choose from pre-listed projects on the GBA website or propose sites of their own selection. Once an EOI is filed, the concerned city corporation is expected to convene a meeting within ten days to discuss the proposal, followed by the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Final coordination and approval processes will be managed by the respective municipal corporations.
GBA Establishes Dedicated CSR Cell for Coordination
To facilitate this initiative, GBA has established a dedicated CSR cell chaired by the chief engineer of planning and coordination. This cell will periodically assess proposals and work to align private funding with priority infrastructure needs across Bengaluru. The establishment of this specialized unit underscores GBA's commitment to creating structured pathways for corporate and philanthropic involvement in urban development.
Citizen Groups Express Concerns About Public Participation
Despite the potential benefits, the announcement has raised significant concerns among citizen groups and resident welfare associations. Critics argue that the current framework sidelines public participation, as there are no explicit provisions for consultations with residents, ward committees, or area sabhas during project selection or design phases.
Subash Shetty, FBL member, acknowledges that CSR initiatives by large companies can significantly benefit surrounding areas, particularly where governance is weak or absent. However, he cautions that "depending solely on CSR for development risks sidelining residents who work tirelessly at the grassroots level. When citizen inputs are ignored, development becomes one-sided. CSR must complement — not replace — community-driven efforts and accountable public institutions to ensure inclusive and sustainable urban outcomes."
Poornima Shetty, president of United RWA of Konena Agrahara, emphasizes that "cities thrive when citizens are active partners, not passive spectators. While CSR-led projects can add value, excluding residents from planning and decision-making creates disconnection and mistrust. A clear SOP from GBA is essential to define the role of citizens and ward committees, ensuring urban planning remains participatory rather than top-down and corporate-driven."
Urban Experts Weigh In on Governance and Accountability
Valli Narasimha, treasurer of Malleshwaram Swabhimana Initiative Forum, notes that GBA's CSR-driven civic projects could help fast-track infrastructure development and improve quality of life. However, she warns that "without strong public consultation and accountability, such projects risk sidelining citizens and ward committees. Infrastructure shaped mainly by corporate priorities may not reflect local needs. CSR can be effective only when balanced with transparency, community participation, and democratic oversight."
Vishnu Prasad of Save Bellandur stresses the importance of clear frameworks, stating that "GBA must begin with clear ward-level objectives and accountability frameworks, or CSR initiatives risk failure. Today, public funds are spent on roads and footpaths without quality pedestrian infrastructure, citizen audits, or functional ward committees. These governance gaps must be fixed first to build trust. Without this, even CSR sponsors may hesitate to participate."
Naresh Narasimhan, architect and urbanist, offers a nuanced perspective: "Using CSR funds for civic works is not inherently flawed; Bengaluru always evolved through multiple actors. The issue arises when CSR replaces democratic planning instead of supporting it. Urban infrastructure is socially, ecologically, and politically interconnected. Without embedding ward committees and citizen deliberation, efficiency overtakes legitimacy. CSR should fund publicly identified priorities, not define them."
Potential for Sustainable Outcomes Through Collaboration
Vinod Jacob, urban strategist, welcomes GBA's move towards a transparent CSR and philanthropy policy, seeing it as "an opportunity to create lasting public assets. Close collaboration with resident welfare associations and apartment associations can align projects with real local needs. Equal focus on operations, maintenance, and manpower is critical. A build–operate–maintain model and true public–private–people partnership can deliver sustainable outcomes."
This initiative represents a significant shift in how Bengaluru approaches urban development, balancing the need for accelerated infrastructure creation with fundamental questions about democratic participation, community engagement, and sustainable urban governance. The success of this programme will likely depend on how effectively GBA can integrate corporate resources with genuine public consultation and transparent accountability mechanisms.
