The Karnataka government has announced the merger of the post of BBMP Engineer-in-chief with Director (technical) of Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE).
As per the Government Order, B.S. Prahlad, who had been holding the BBMP engineer-in-chief post, has now been appointed as Director (Technical) of B-SMILE with immediate effect. The post will be equivalent to that of Principal Engineer, BBMP, reads the order.
Mr. Prahlad had been serving as the engineer-in-chief while also holding the posts of Chief Engineer (Road Infrastructure) and Chief Engineer (Storm Water Drain.) The new merger would essentially mean the scrapping of the post of engineer-in-chief at BBMP and potential new appointees to the other two posts.
SPV for infrastructure
During Karnataka Budget, 2025-26, the government expressed its intent to develop Bengaluru’s infrastructure by allocating a ₹7,000 crore grant every year.
B-SMILE was formed as a special purpose vehicle to implement major development works in the city and came into effect through an order earlier this month. It is expected that the State government will undertake the construction of projects such as elevated flyovers, white topping of roads and so through the SPV.
The latest order noted that the SPV urgently required the post of full-time director (technical), and hence, the merger.
“As the Greater Bengaluru Act has come into existence, it is proposed to divide the BBMP within four months and create new city corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Administration Act-2024. Accordingly, it has been decided to merge the post of chief engineer of the BBMP with the Director (Technical), B-SMILE on a full-time basis,” the order read.
Published – May 24, 2025 03:17 pm IST
