Byre Gowda gets plum job; DK Shivakumar keeps Bengaluru Development Authority

BEGALURU: In a redistribution of responsibilities related to Bengaluru’s development, chief minister DK Shivakumar has assigned charge of Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to cabinet colleague Krishna Byre Gowda.

While retaining direct control of Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA), which oversees several major infrastructure and land-development projects in the state capital.

The arrangement creates a split structure, since BDA plays a huge role in land acquisition, layout formation, and large urban projects in the capital. The agency is also politically influential, and sources say R Ramalinga Reddy was keen on securing the Bengaluru development portfolio, including BDA.

In recent years, BDA has emerged as a key implementing agency for several bigticket projects. These include the proposed tunnel road project, a network of elevated corridors aimed at easing traffic congestion, the development of new residential layouts, lake rejuvenation works and major road infrastructure initiatives.

The development authority also plays a central role in land acquisition and planning for large urban expansion projects, making it one of the most influential agencies in the state’s administrative structure.

Sources say Congress brass are mulling the possibility of swapping portfolios between Reddy and Byre Gowda, although no official decision was announced. Responding to questions on the issue, Shivakumar said he would speak to Reddy and resolve differences.