BENGALURU, 17 MARCH

For the fifth consecutive year, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) budget will be presented without elected representatives. The budget, scheduled for 27 March, will be tabled by the Special Commissioner for Finance.

BBMP Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath confirmed that Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar will be present at the unveiling. The Karnataka state budget has allocated Rs 7,000 crore to the BBMP, and the municipal budget is expected to exceed Rs 15,000 crore.

This year’s budget will prioritise improving Bengaluru’s infrastructure, focusing on stormwater drains and the healthcare sector. Officials have indicated that initiatives will be introduced to mitigate urban flooding during the monsoon season.

Significant allocations are anticipated for road repairs, pothole filling, electricity provision, drinking water supply, and white-topping of roads to enhance urban development. However, concerns have emerged regarding lower funding for education, attributed to the state government's decision to take over BBMP-run schools and PU colleges.

In addition, BBMP has reported a property tax collection of Rs 4,604 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25, achieving 88.36% of its target of Rs 5,210 crore. The e-Khata initiative, implemented in October 2024, has facilitated the issuance of 2.25 lakh electronic property documents, streamlining ownership records.