BJP members allege rampant corruption in building plan approvals, issuing e-khatas in Bengaluru

BJP members representing Bengaluru on Tuesday alleged rampant corruption in building plan approvals, issuance of e-khatas, construction of retaining walls along storm-water drains (rajakaluves), and property tax collection by civic bodies under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on the city’s deteriorating infrastructure, senior BJP member Satish Reddy, representing Bommanahalli, swore on Mahatma Gandhi and alleged that a bribe of ₹100 per sq. ft was being collected for approving residential apartment construction in Bengaluru.

“A bribe of ₹100 per sq ft is being collected for building plan approvals. The Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) charges ₹20 less. Let any member say there is no corruption. Who gets this money – officials, the government, or someone else?” Mr. Reddy asked.

Congress member Sharath Bache Gowda intervened, objecting to the allegation and demanding evidence.

Mr. Reddy maintained that corruption at every stage of construction had adversely impacted the sector and even rendered workers jobless. He alleged that building plan approval fees had been increased fourfold and that no e-khata was issued without bribes. He further claimed that GBA officials are using drones for property surveys and collecting taxes even during the construction stage, while allegedly ignoring large commercial establishments such as malls.

He also accused the authorities of not holding meetings with city MLAs. “I am ready to quit if proven wrong. I am speaking the truth,” he asserted.

On Muslim voters

Mr. Reddy additionally accused the Congress government of “cheating” Muslim voters, alleging that ward delimitation had been carried out in a manner that divided Muslim populations across constituencies. “Muslims are voting for the Congress not out of affection but owing to the lack of an alternative,” he said.

BJP member Munirathna (R.R. Nagar) alleged that a ₹3,500-crore World Bank loan for flood management and storm-water drain construction was obtained using “misleading information.”

He also questioned the renaming of institutions such as Victoria Hospital (after Shantaveri Gopala Gowda) and Bengaluru University (after Manmohan Singh).

Tunnel Road project criticised

BJP member S.R. Vishwanath (Yelahanka) strongly opposed the proposed 17-km tunnel road project, alleging that it would destroy parks and green cover while benefiting private developers.

He stated that each kilometre of the tunnel would cost ₹1,007 crore, and commuters would be charged a toll of ₹19 per km — amounting to ₹323 for a one-way trip.

“The government has no funds to fix potholes, repair roads, or manage garbage but is pushing costly tunnel and infrastructure projects,” he said.

He also criticised the steep increase in garbage cess, claiming that apartment associations are being charged ₹12 per kg for waste collection.

Leader of the Opposition R. Ashok said the GBA had failed to decongest traffic at Goraguntepalya junction on Tumakuru Road, one of the city’s busiest corridors. He urged the Chief Minister not to approve a proposed large commercial complex in the area and instead utilise the land to widen roads and ease traffic congestion.