Karnataka minister Krishna Byre Gowda officially took charge as the Bengaluru Development Minister on Tuesday, holding his first review meeting with officials from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). This move came after a delay caused by concerns regarding the allocation of key city-related departments, as reported by news agency PTI.
First Review Meeting Focuses on Civic Issues
According to the minister's office, the meeting concentrated on pressing civic challenges facing Bengaluru, particularly solid waste management and other urban problems. Officials from the GBA and various city departments participated in the discussions to address these issues.
Background of the Delay
Gowda, who was sworn in on June 3, had postponed taking charge of the department due to disagreements over the distribution of responsibilities. He was reportedly dissatisfied that the state government retained the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) under the direct control of the chief minister.
The minister has been assigned the Greater Bengaluru Authority, its five city corporations, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and Bengaluru Metro. Before assuming office, Gowda engaged in discussions with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and senior Congress leaders, including Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, seeking clarity on his duties. Official sources indicated that these talks resolved the issue, enabling him to take charge.
Criticism from Opposition
The delay drew criticism from the opposition BJP, which questioned the government's lack of clarity over Bengaluru's administrative leadership amid rain-related problems, potholes, and other civic concerns. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya posted on X on Monday, stating, "In Bengaluru, rains have already begun, and the public is facing a hundred problems. But the government still lacks clarity on who the 'Bengaluru In-Charge Minister' is—this is tragic."
Gowda had also traveled to New Delhi in recent weeks to discuss the matter with the party leadership. The BDA and BMRDA, which remain outside his control, are responsible for major infrastructure projects in and around Bengaluru.
Key Projects Outside Minister's Control
Among the significant projects, the BDA is overseeing the Rs 27,000-crore Bengaluru Business Corridor and the Rs 1,200-crore Hebbal short tunnel project. Meanwhile, the BMRDA is implementing the Bidadi township project, valued at over Rs 18,000 crore.
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