TheBangalore Development Authority (BDA) is a governmental organization (referred to within India as aparastatal entity) and a local area planning authority for theBengaluru Metropolitan Area (BMA) outside ofBengaluru City (Greater Bengaluru) which covers an area of 582 km2 (225 sq mi) in accordance with theKarnataka Municipal Corporation Act. Its functions, carried out under theKarnataka Town and Country Planning Act of 1961, include preparing a Comprehensive Development Plan for the peripheral areas ofBengaluru Metropolitan Area (BMA) surroundings Bengaluru.[2] It also oversees planning and development of infrastructure, provision of development-related sites and services, the housing needs of underprivileged citizens in BMA and is currently the area's largest land developer.[3] The only other authority or person may undertake development within theBengaluru Metropolitan Area (BMA) isGreater Bengaluru Authority which is responsible for the following above functions as well acts the apex body for the 5 municipal corporations of Bengaluru covering a area of 712 km2 (275 sq mi).[4][5]
BDA was created on 6 January 1976 under theBangalore Development Authority Act 1976[6] superseding the earlier civic authority known as theCity Improvement Trust Board (CITB), but remaining nearly identical in function.[7] The First erstwhile Chairman of BDA was Shri B.T.Somanna. The BDA is a largely unelected local authority (2 out of 23 members are elected corporators) with most of its members accountable to, and directly appointed by the state government. This creates issues with local representation, particularly since the passage of theConstitution (74th) Amendment Act, 1992 mandating the devolution of planning powers to local, elected authorities.
Despite being the principle planning authority, up to 90% of new residential layouts on theBengaluru Metropolitan Area (BMA) periphery do not have formal approval from the BDA.[8] Over time, these layouts tend to be regularized by successive state governments, however they exhibit all of the issues associated with ad hoc residential development including irregular road layouts, boundary encroachments and lack of provision for essential services and infrastructure.
Corruption has always been an issue within the BDA, with one particularly notorious scandal being the illegal sale of up to 200 sites in 1995 by corrupt BDA officials.[9] In the 1990s the BDA came under sustained criticism including the Public Affairs Center's 1993 report cards on BDA performance;[10] the CUMB Report of 1997 which examined the role and function of the BDA and concluded that the organization had outlived its mandate, was failing as a development authority and should be disbanded;[11] and a 1999 report[12] by theWorld Bank which labelled it one of the most corrupt and inefficient institutions in the city.[13] The same report also reported on the findings of a citizen survey which found 65% of Bengalureans dissatisfied with their experience dealing with the BDA, and just 1% satisfied—the lowest of any civic agency in the city. It was also receiving the highest share of bribes (33%) in exchange for expediting service outcomes.
The BDA is credited with responding to these findings with some reforms in operational management and asset monitoring and accounting practices leading to a substantial increase in residential layout development and allocation.[14]
In 2008 the Kasturirangan Report reaffirmed that as both developer and land regulator, the BDA has neglected its regulatory role, but gained some additional credibility through the successful delivery of major infrastructure projects[11] including theOuter Ring Road, and various flyovers and underpasses throughout the city. The report recommended land regulation responsibilities be handed over to other municipal bodies such as theBBMP with the BDA focusing on its function as a development body.
In 2025, the area presided over by BDA was reduced to from 1,294 km2 (500 sq mi) of the entireBengaluru Metropolitan Area (BMA) to just the peripheral areas covering 582 km2 (225 sq mi). The newly formedGreater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) was transferred all the powers of BDA for the 712 km2 (275 sq mi) of Bengaluru City.[15]
The superstructure of the Hebbal Flyover has won an award in the 9th Outstanding Bridge National Awards competition by the Indian Institute of Bridge Engineers[16]
The encroachment and development upon water bodies and tanks essential for the city's drainage system.[17][18]
Failure to provide basic amenities (power, water, sewerage, drainage) to residential layouts whilst embarking on still further projects.[19][20]
Failure to provide for the rehabilitation of villagers displaced by new layout projects.[21]
Failure to deliver on planned projects and promised infrastructure.[22][23]
Despite the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Indian Constitution devolving power toPanchayats and local urban bodies, the BDA is not similarly responsive through an electoral process to local constituencies.[2]
The influence of money and vested interests, the so-called "land mafia",[24] in the violation of regulations and land use controls and the development of prime real estate locations.[2][25]
Service outcomes decreasing over time despite significant growth in revenues (accounting for population and inflation).[26]
Looks like it is not only BDA allotted sites that get into legal trouble, even auction sites which fetch the BDA crores of rupees that get entangled, in this case for 14 years.[28]
A series of denotifications hit the BDA Arkavathy layout according to this source. This happened after BDA allotted the land to people who paid full amount for the site purchase from their hard earned savings and received lease cum sale agreements from BDA. So their money was with BDA but site GONE.[29]
People who dare to build a house in a BDA developed layout, might have to stay with no power, water or drainage, not for years but decades as this one talks about facilities in Arkavathy layout and the facilities it offers.[30][31]
Do you think BDA apartments are a safer bet, think again, a land owner allegedly cordoned off 300 BDA flat owners from an approach road[32]
BDA apartments and its amazing quality - read here[33][34]
Yes, according to BDA, they refund people who withdraw their flat application but how easy is it to really get your money back is anyone's guess[35]
Hebbal flyover, designed and built by BDA is now bursting at the seams with unmanageable traffic according to this report.[36] Does this showcase BDA's long term planning capabilities?
^Stallmeyer, John (2010). "Electronics City".Building Bangalore: Architecture and urban transformation in India's Silicon Valley. Routledge.ISBN978-1136903977.
^Anjaria, Jonathan (2013).Urban Navigations: Politics, Space and the City in South Asia. New Delhi: Routledge. p. 168.ISBN978-1136197420.
^The Times of India. 8 May 1995.{{cite news}}:Missing or empty|title= (help)
^Paul, Samuel (2000).Benchmarking Urban Services: The Second Report Card from Bangalore. Public Affairs Centre.
^Rajak, Robin (2009). "Does Public Ownership and Management of Land Matter for Land Market Outcomes?". In Lall, Somik (ed.).Urban Land Markets: Improving Land Management for Successful Urbanization. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 320.ISBN978-1402088629.
