BELAGAVI: The legislative assembly Wednesday passed the Mysuru Development Authority Bill 2024 aimed at transforming Mysore Urban Development Authority (Muda) into an independent body modelled on the lines of Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).
Once signed into an Act, Muda will become Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) and will be designed to better manage the Mysuru’s rapid expansion and urban development.
The move is particularly significant considering an ongoing investigation surrounding the Muda site allotment case in which chief minister Siddaramaiah, his wife, and other family members are the accused. The issue gained further attention due to allegations of tampering and pilferage by urban development minister BS Suresha shortly after the case came to light.
Suresha, who piloted the bill, emphasised the need for change, saying, “Muda is governed under the Karnataka Urban Development Authorities Act of 1987, with officials wielding considerable influence. Now, we want it managed just as BDA is managed. The new act will have eight chapters and 85 sections, ensuring comprehensive development of areas under it.”
Suresha also clarified that while the new authority will operate independently, the state govt will allocate grants only for specific projects, such as flyovers, underpasses, and ring road construction.
“The authority will be financially independent, generating its own income. The govt will only make allocations for tasks which it particularly wants executed,” he said.
He said the decision to replace Muda is necessary as Mysuru, increasingly regarded as a growing metropolitan city, faces urban management challenges due to its rapid population growth and large-scale infra development.
“Since Muda was facing complex challenges associated with the sudden growth and large-scale developments, a separate Act was necessary,” he said.
The bill reduces the number of legislators on the board to just two, as opposed to the current practice of including all Mysuru MLAs and MLCs. The board will be managed by senior officials, including an IAS officer or a senior KAS officer as commissioner. Additional roles will include a chairperson, finance member, chief engineer, town planner, and architect. “Considering the heritage aspects of Mysuru, the Act includes provisions for a heritage building protection committee, ensuring preservation of the city’s heritage sites,” Suresha said.
The bill received broad bipartisan support from MLAs, who welcomed the govt’s initiative to better manage the city’s urban growth.
