BBMP Chief Engineer Prahlad Appointed Director (Technical) at B-SMILE

Quick Summary

• The Karnataka government has merged the post of BBMP Engineer-in-chief with Director (Technical) of Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE).
• B.S. Prahlad, formerly BBMP Engineer-in-chief, has been appointed as Director (Technical) of B-SMILE with immediate effect.
• The merger eliminates the Engineer-in-chief position at BBMP and may lead to new appointments for other roles previously held by Mr. Prahlad, such as Chief Engineers for Road Infrastructure and Storm Water drain systems.
• B-SMILE was established as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) to execute key infrastructure projects in Bengaluru under a ₹7,000 crore annual grant announced in the 2025-26 budget.
• Planned projects under this SPV include elevated flyovers and white-topping roads.
• The Greater Bengaluru Governance Act proposes dividing BBMP into city corporations within four months.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The merger of administrative positions underscores Karnataka’s strategic push to streamline urban development processes under newly formed entities like B-SMILE. By integrating technical oversight directly into an SPV framework, decision-makers appear focused on accelerating project implementation for critical infrastructure upgrades in Bengaluru. Additionally, the ₹7,000 crore annual budget allocation signals seriousness about resolving long-standing issues such as traffic congestion and poor road conditions.

however, the planned division of BBMP raises questions regarding governance efficacy post-reorganization. While specialization through city corporations may improve coverage for municipal services, it remains essential that adequate coordination mechanisms are devised to maintain uniformity across Greater Bengaluru’s various jurisdictions.

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