In a strong push for transparency, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has declared that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) must shed its infamous association with "business" and "brokers" and undergo a complete professional transformation. The call was made during a training workshop for BDA employees on Tuesday, ahead of the agency's 50th-anniversary celebrations.
A Direct Appeal for Change and Accountability
Addressing staff at the workshop on 'Administrative reforms and public grievance redressal', Shivakumar urged them to abandon outdated bureaucratic habits of apathy and long delays. He emphasized the need to adapt to rapid global changes, highlighting the evolution from manual calculations to the current era of artificial intelligence and drone-based land measurement.
"No matter how intelligent we are, there is always a need to keep learning through knowledge and experience until the end of our lives," Shivakumar stated. He pointedly addressed the widespread public perception that nothing gets done in the BDA without bribing officials.
"I learnt through my sources the kind of corruption or efficiency that exists at every stage. It took me six months to get a list of agents engaged in business inside BDA," he revealed, underscoring the deep-rooted issues. He implored employees to change the BDA's reputation to something their conscience could accept and to seek solutions with a positive attitude for distressed citizens.
Digital Push and Firm Stance on Key Projects
As a key measure to usher in transparency, the Deputy CM announced plans to digitally scan and store all BDA documents. He also mentioned that a town planning college in Bengaluru is in the pipeline.
Shifting focus to major infrastructure, Shivakumar reiterated the government's unwavering resolve to execute the Peripheral Ring Road, now renamed the Bengaluru Business Corridor. "No matter how much opposition this project faces or how many legal challenges arise, no one in the country can offer a better compensation option than this," he asserted.
"Not an Inch of Land Will Be Denotified"
In a firm declaration, Shivakumar sent a clear message to potential litigants and stakeholders. "I have informed the commissioners that, under no circumstances, will I de-notify even an inch of land during my tenure," he said, putting an end to speculation about the project's future. This statement solidifies the state government's commitment to seeing the crucial corridor project through, despite anticipated hurdles.
The Deputy Chief Minister's direct and forceful intervention signals a significant push from the top echelons of the government to reform one of Bengaluru's most critical yet controversial civic bodies. The success of this drive will be closely watched by citizens long frustrated by red tape and alleged corruption in urban development.
