After Karnataka amends Bengaluru mobility law, BJP’s Tejasvi Surya writes to Governor
On Tuesday, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya wrote to Governor Thawarachand Gehlot regarding the Karnataka Assembly's amendment to the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) Act. The BMLTA (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which was passed without a debate on Monday, aims to amend Section 19 of the BMLTA Act of 2022. The amendment, set to come into effect in 2026, has raised concerns among critics, as it could retrospectively legitimize major infrastructure projects with near Rs 1 lakh crore valuation, such as the Tunnel Road Project estimated to cost over Rs 40,000 crore.
Surya argued that the intent of the original legislation from 2022 cannot be altered retrospectively, as it undermines the safeguards and institutional oversight the law was meant to establish. The amended Section 19 of the BMLTA Act of 2026 introduces a new Subsection 6, which permits major infrastructure projects initiated between the BMLTA Act's commencement and the Rules' notification to be deemed as operating under the Act.
The amendment's statement of reasons emphasizes the need for continued administrative decision-making, considering the urgency to alleviate traffic congestion and address mobility challenges in Bengaluru.
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