Drone overdrive, e-khata mess: BPJ MLAs slam Bengaluru’s governance

BENGALURU: The tech capital's mounting civic and mobility challenges took centre stage in the legislative assembly, as BJP MLAs launched a sharp critique of the state govt during Tuesday's budget discussion.

Raising concerns over issues such as the chaos surrounding e-khata issuance, alleged corruption in civic bodies, stalled infrastructure projects, and administrative confusion following the restructuring of the civic body, legislators accused the govt of neglect and misplaced priorities. They also flagged concerns over garbage management, warning that continued governance lapses could undermine Bengaluru's liveability and, in turn, affect the state's growth trajectory.

Yelahanka MLA (BJP) SR Vishwanath slammed the govt for what he termed its continued apathy towards the growing apartment population, which has been demanding a new legal framework. He said apartment residents, driven by shrinking land availability and soaring property prices, are increasingly becoming a dominant segment in the city but remain neglected in policy decisions.

"Today, due to lack of space or high cost of land in and around Bengaluru, people are going in for apartments… Whatever the highest charges are levied on apartment dwellers… They have been demanding tabling of Karnataka Apartment Ownership and Management Act (KAOMA)… But for this govt, the apartments have become allergic and apathetic," Vishwanath said.

Despite repeated appeals, the govt has not prioritised apartment management, leaving residents without a clear and updated legal framework to address governance, disputes, and accountability within apartment communities. He also questioned the govt's claims on city funding, alleging that while Rs 1.2 lakh crore was publicised for Bengaluru's development, only about Rs 7,000 crore was allocated and a mere Rs 3,000 crore released.

He also took a dig at ambitious tunnel road project. With the project funded by a Rs 17,000-crore loan and a proposed toll of Rs 19 per km, he warned that daily commuters would face an unsustainable financial burden. "When our citizens refuse to use paid toilet facilities that cost Rs 5, do you think they will use the toll tunnel road by paying thousands of rupees in one day?" he asked, while also objecting to the acquisition of parks and lakes.

Calling Bengaluru as the heart of Karnataka, Vishwanath said: "If you do not take care of it, it will affect the whole state. It is not just 21 MLAs who should worry about it, but all 224 legislators must think about the development of Bengaluru as it fuels the state's growth engine. Already, the city has been fitted with a stent. But if you push it till bypass level, the city will only collapse."

Corruption in e-khata issuance?
Bommanahalli MLA (BJP) Satish Reddy criticised the use of drone surveys for property tax assessment, stating: "Some officials in GBA have introduced drone survey of properties for tax collection… But just based on drone images, officials have been asking people to cough up property tax retrospectively with interest and penalty. Drone cannot capture parking, balcony and stairs details. They cannot ascertain whether the building work is in progress or completed. The govt must direct the GBA that all drone survey of properties shall be verified with physical surveys by revenue officials."

Reddy also alleged widespread corruption in e-khata issuance and building approvals, claiming that citizens are forced to pay bribes for services that are officially free, with delays stretching for months.