• Source:JND
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The Karnataka government recently introduced the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which empowers the city's civic body to unilaterally classify private roads as public.

The legislation represents a shift in urban government by permitting the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to unilaterally designate private roadways to the public for unlimited vehicular access without the permission of a majority of property owners. This endeavor aims to address safety hazards caused by pre-Privatisation Era maintained roads.

This provision enables zonal authorities to exercise their authority on their own or in response to requests from property owners. Prior to any conversion, the bill mandates that a public notice be issued, as well as notification to impacted property owners.

This preserves openness and allows pertinent parties to voice their opposition to or support for the proposed change.

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Unlike earlier times, the amendment permits Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike to change the nature of the road from private to public with no restrictions on the number of property owners who must provide their assent.

The BBMP has the authority to employ this power where the condition of a private street is inadequate and endangers public health and safety.

Zonal authorities have the authority to take action at will or at the request of property owners. They must give a public notice and inform the owners before making a private road public.

In the instance of a private road that requires renovation, the property owners might be compelled to perform further improvements within a specific time frame.

If the homeowners do not meet the deadline, the BBMP reserves the authority to execute the upgrades and recover the costs through property arrears tax.

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