Karnataka Government Notifies BMLTA Amendment to Shield Urban Projects

The Karnataka government has notified the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (Amendment) Act, 2026, shielding several controversial infrastructure projects planned between 2022 and mid-2026 from institutional scrutiny. The amendment relates to Section 19(5) of the Act and retrospectively validates decisions and plans initiated during this period, deeming them undertaken under the BMLTA.

Legislative Passage

The Congress government introduced the bill during the Monsoon Session in August. It passed in both houses without meaningful debate amid high drama and protests from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders demanding the resignation of former Minister B. Nagendra over a scam. Then Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot gave his assent to the bill on October 9, and it was subsequently notified through the State Gazette.

Impact on Projects

Projects championed by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, including tunnel roads, Sancharayukta, 11 elevated corridors, and the Hebbal short tunnel, will now fall outside the purview of the transport planning authority. Civic activists had condemned the move, stating it was meant to bypass scrutiny under BMLTA Rules which faced multiple Public Interest Litigations. The Urban Development Department received over 200 objections to the draft rules, with citizen groups calling the savings clause unconstitutional and unscientific, noting it takes problematic projects worth over one lakh crore rupees out of the BMLTA's ambit.

Context

Public consultation processes in urban planning often face tension when governments advance large-scale infrastructure despite heavy citizen pushback. Legal challenges regarding retrospective legislation and environmental concerns frequently move through the courts as citizens seek judicial intervention.