Krishna Byre Gowda Takes Charge as Bengaluru Development Minister After Delay

Karnataka minister Krishna Byre Gowda took charge as the Bengaluru Development Minister on Tuesday, holding his first review meeting with officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). The administrative transition comes as the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) continues to oversee major infrastructure developments, including the Rs 1,200-crore Hebbal short tunnel project in the Hebbal area.

Gowda, who was sworn in on June 3, had delayed taking charge of the department due to concerns over the allocation of key city-related departments. He was reportedly unhappy that the state government had kept the BDA and the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) under the direct control of the chief minister.

Before assuming office, Gowda held talks with Chief Minister D K Shivakumar and senior Congress leaders, including Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, to seek clarity on his responsibilities. Official sources stated that these discussions resolved the issue, leading to him taking charge.

The minister has been given charge of the Greater Bengaluru Authority, its five city corporations, the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB), and Bengaluru Metro. During his first review meeting, Gowda and GBA officials focused on key civic issues facing Bengaluru, including solid waste management and other urban challenges.

The delay in administrative leadership had drawn criticism from the opposition BJP, which questioned the government's clarity during a time when the city was dealing with rain-related problems, potholes, and other civic concerns. Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya had publicly criticized the delay, highlighting that rains had begun and the public was facing numerous problems without a clear Bengaluru In-Charge Minister.

While Gowda now manages the GBA, the BDA and BMRDA remain outside his control. These bodies are responsible for several major infrastructure projects in and around Bengaluru, including the Rs 27,000-crore Bengaluru Business Corridor, the Hebbal short tunnel project, and the Rs 18,000-crore Bidadi township project.