Expert committee formed to fix Bengaluru-specific schedule of rates

BBMP Chief Commissioner forms expert committee to develop city-specific schedule of rates for Bengaluru's infrastructure projects.

In a move aimed at streamlining Bengaluru’s infrastructure development framework, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Tushar Giri Nath has constituted an expert committee to develop a city-specific schedule of rates (SR).

This comes close on the heels of the recently presented city’s civic budget laying a road map for the implementation of a whopping ₹73,200 crore worth of mega road infrastructure projects including tunnel roads, 110 km long grade separators and double-decker flyovers with Namma Metro among other works, to be taken up by a special purpose vehicle formed to implement these projects. This is apart from the Peripheral Ring Road to be taken up by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA).

The decision, stemming from a high-level meeting chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka on March 13, 2025, is set to redefine how infrastructure projects are estimated and executed across the city.

The newly constituted eight-member committee, headed by former BBMP Chief Engineer Somashekar, includes a team of engineers and experts from BBMP and the Public Works Department. Their mandate is to submit a revised and realistic set of rates tailored to Bengaluru’s unique urban challenges — ranging from traffic congestion and limited working hours to high construction waste disposal costs and logistical difficulties in labor mobilisation.

Concerns had been mounting among implementing agencies and contractors about the inadequacy of the current uniform PWD schedule of rates, which they argued fails to reflect the city’s density, constraints, and rising costs. These views were echoed in several consultative meetings prior to the order.

The committee has been given 30 days, with a deadline of May 15, 2025, to finalise and submit the proposed schedule of rates. Members will receive sitting fees, and logistical support has been arranged to facilitate meetings and report preparation.