Govt tables Bill empowering BBMP to declare private street in Bengaluru as public street

The zonal commissioner, on his own accord or upon a request by the owner or owners of a buildings and lands abutting such a private street, by a public notice and notice to owners inform the intention of declaring the private street as a public street, after considering objections, if any.

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled in the Legislative Assembly on March 18 to authorise the civic body to declare any private street in Bengaluru as a public street, and carry out development of even private roads within its jurisdiction.

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H. K. Patil tabled the Bill, which proposes to empower the BBMP to declare any private street as a public street, including the drains that are in such a condition that endangers public safety and health.

The zonal commissioner, on his own accord or upon a request by the owner or owners of a buildings and lands abutting such a private street, by a public notice and notice to owners, can inform the intention of declaring the private street as a public street, after considering objections, if any.

In case the private street falls in more than one zone, the zonal commissioners concerned should jointly issue the notice and declare the street as a public street.

The ‘public street’ means ‘any street, road, square, court, alley, passage or riding path over which the public have a right of way, and is maintained by the corporation or government’.

The Bill proposes to enable the corporation to take decisions in fixing the rate of the fee, levy or penalty in accordance with the power to impose taxes, as per Article 243X of the Constitution of India.

It aims to bring fees on parity with scrutiny fee for building licences, commencement certificate and occupancy certificate.