DKS has promised a new Bengaluru. Will he deliver now?

Bengaluru: Three years ago, when DK Shivakumar invited Bengalureans to share ideas for his ambitious ‘Brand Bengaluru’ vision, the response was overwhelming: Nearly 70,000 suggestions poured in.

The DCM spoke of transformative projects: tunnel roads to decongest traffic, double-decker flyovers to improve mobility, and a towering skydeck that would redefine the city’s skyline.Yet, as those grand plans took shape on paper, Bengalureans continued to navigate pothole-ridden roads, traffic snarls, flooding hotspots and crumbling civic infrastructure. Now, as Shivakumar gets ready to step into the chief minister’s office, the city is watching more closely than ever before.For many residents, his elevation marks a moment of opportunity. Few leaders in recent years have been as closely associated with Bengaluru’s development agenda as Shivakumar. As the minister overseeing the city’s key agencies, from GBA and BDA to BWSSB, BMRDA and BMRCL, he became the political face of several high-profile projects and governance reforms.The question now is simple: Will Bengaluru finally see execution match ambition?Expectations are high because Shivakumar enters the CM’s office with a deep understanding of the city’s governance challenges.

Having worked closely with multiple civic agencies, he is familiar with the bureaucratic hurdles that often slow down projects. Supporters believe this knowledge could translate into faster approvals, better coordination and quicker implementation of long-pending works.Among his most significant initiatives was the creation of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) framework and the proposal to split Bengaluru into multiple corporations , a major governance overhaul aimed at improving administration in one of India’s fastest-growing metropolitan regions.Many civic observers feel that his promotion to the state’s top post could also provide a boost to several projects already in the pipeline. “There is no other politician who understands the value of Bengaluru than Shivakumar. Maybe, things could get better for Bengaluru, maybe the tunnel road could become reality now,” a retired additional chief secretary said.But optimism is tempered by caution. For residents, the city’s most pressing concerns remain strikingly familiar: flooded roads during monsoon showers, worsening traffic congestion, poor road quality, broken footpaths and inadequate civic maintenance.“Announcements have never been Bengaluru’s problem. Execution has,” is a sentiment frequently echoed in civic circles.Another key question is whether the new CM will move ahead with elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority and fully operationalise the governance reforms that were envisioned as part of the city’s restructuring. As CM, Shivakumar will also have to balance statewide governance, welfare commitments and political priorities, limiting the amount of time he can devote exclusively to Bengaluru.InsetBengaluru Experts & Enthusiasts speak (Mugshots to be taken)Sandeep Shastry, political analystDK Shivakumar already had considerable autonomy as DCM overseeing Bengaluru development, and as CM, he would have even greater room to execute priorities linked to the city. Politically, it also becomes imperative for him to show visible progress in Bengaluru before the 2028 elections if he is expected to lead the party. A key challenge would be balancing governance priorities with political management and internal contradictions while ensuring Bengaluru receives sustained attentionRavichandar V, civic expertMuch depends on whether DK Shivakumar retains the Bengaluru development portfolio as the CM. If he does, one can expect greater momentum for projects and reforms he has already envisioned for the city. One important example is the GBA and the proposal for multiple corporations, which would not have moved without his drive. Once he believes something needs to be done, he usually pursues it strongly, though balancing statewide responsibilities will also be crucialTV Mohandas Pai, chairman, Aarin Capital and former Infosys CFOAs Bengaluru development minister, DK Shivakumar initiated several projects that did not fully move forward, partly due to lack of support and consensus. As CM, he may now have greater authority to implement them. Bengaluru and the IT sector remain closely linked to Karnataka’s future, and the city requires a stronger focus on growth, jobs and infrastructure. However, projects such as tunnel roads must be backed by expert studies and better execution, with stronger coordination to minimise inconvenience to citizensPriyanka D, techie and city enthusiastDK Shivakumar becoming the CM could positively impact Bengaluru as he has already driven key reforms such as BBMP restructuring and formation of the GBA over the last three years. Major infrastructure projects like the Bengaluru Business Corridor, Peripheral Ring Road and tunnel roads could gain momentum. The only concern is whether, he will be able to devote the same level of focus to Bengaluru while balancing statewide responsibilitiesAishwarya C M, VP, All India Save Education Committee (AISEC), KarnatakaDK Shivakumar may be more approachable as CM and open to engaging with citizen groups, particularly on education issues. While there is some hope that discussions around public education and school closures may receive greater attention, major policy shifts may still remain difficult given larger institutional and economic pressures. At the same time, there are concerns that large infrastructure projects such as tunnel roads could gather pace despite opposition, particularly over fears of environmental impact and loss of public spacesInset - 3What needs urgent attention?*Pothole-free roads*Dust-free localities*Street corruption*Expediting Ejipura flyover, Dommasandra flyover and RR Nagar flyover*Completing road widening between Varthur and Gunjur*Making Bengaluru suburban rail project a reality*Starting work on Peripheral Ring Road (Bengaluru Business Corridor)