SPV for MAJOR works with ₹7,000 crore grant from the government

‘B-Smile’ for infrastructure development

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್ 

Bengaluru: A special purpose vehicle (SPV) – ‘Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited’ (B-Smile) has been set up to implement massive development works with a grant of ₹7,000 crore from the state government for infrastructure development.

The principal engineer and chief engineer have been assigned to ‘B-Smile’ by BBMP, and the posts have been recreated and merged for that.

The name of ‘B-Smile’ has already been registered and the process of registering the company is in progress. Long-term infrastructure works including tunnel roads, flyovers, skydecks, white topping, buffer roads, etc. will be undertaken in the city through this company.

Since massive works need to be implemented quickly, the necessary human resources need to be provided and the office needs to be started. Also, since the Greater Bengaluru Administration Act has come into force, BBMP needs to be divided in four months and new municipal corporations have to be formed. Therefore, the government on Friday issued an order merging the post of Chief Engineer of BBMP with ‘B-Smile’ on a full-time basis.

BBMP Engineer in Chief B.S. Prahlad has been appointed as the Technical Director of ‘B-Smile’. 

Due to the division of BBMP and the creation of new municipal corporations, the posts and functions of the corporation have been revised. Thus, the post of Chief Engineer of the Planning-Central Division of BBMP has been divided.

The post of Chief Engineer of the Planning-Central Division and the functions related to buildings and structures have been merged with the post of Chief Engineer of the Health and Sanitation Department.

The functions related to road development works including white topping and flyover have been merged into the post of Chief Engineer of Road Infrastructure Department. This post has been transferred to ‘B-Smile’ and ordered to be transferred.

Since Engineer in Chief B.S. Prahlad has been appointed to ‘B-Smile’ on a full-time basis, the BBMP Chief Commissioner has been instructed to appoint an in-charge for the posts of Chief Engineer of BBMP’s Road Infrastructure and Major Drainage Department until the government appoints him.

Office immediately – Prahlad

‘Major works need to be started with government funds. ‘B-Smile’ office needs to be established immediately, and the office will be started at the Smart City office or at a prominent location in the central area,’ said ‘B-Smile’s’ Technical Director B.S. Prahlad.

₹750 crore released

Bengaluru: The Urban Development Department on May 20 released the first installment of ₹750 crore for the year 2025-26 under the state government’s ‘Capital Support for Special Infrastructure’ scheme to the BBMP.

Under the Special Infrastructure Scheme, works on major roads, flyovers, corridors, etc. are in progress. The bills for these works are pending and if they are not paid, there is a possibility of delay in progress. Therefore, the money has been released from the ₹3,000 crore allocated for the year 2025-26, the order said.