Karnataka Politics & Governance

Water and highway toll charges revised in Karnataka

1 April 2026

Revised water charges in Bengaluru and toll rates on national highways in Karnataka took effect on 1 April. The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) raised water charges by 3%, while toll rates rose by 3–5%; the reported increases ranged from ₹5–10 for cars and jeeps and ₹15–40 for buses and trucks. The toll revision was linked to an annual adjustment based on the wholesale price index.

Key Facts

• BWSSB is Bengaluru’s governmental agency responsible for water supply and sewage disposal.

Toll plazas shift to FASTag and digital payments

1 April 2026

From 1 April, toll payments at toll plazas across India were to be made through FASTag or digital methods such as UPI, as cash payments were phased out. Travellers whose FASTag was inactive or lacked sufficient balance could use a QR code at the booth to pay by UPI. Faster traffic and shorter queues were anticipated benefits, not reported outcomes.

Key Facts

• FASTag uses RFID to deduct tolls from a linked prepaid or savings account.

Karnataka High Court orders investigation into Mysuru bag procurement allegations

1 April 2026

The Karnataka High Court quashed the state department’s refusal to grant prior approval for an investigation into allegations concerning cloth-bag procurement during Rohini Sindhuri’s tenure as Mysuru Deputy Commissioner. It directed the state government to order an investigation within four weeks of receiving the order. The alleged overpricing and loss to the public exchequer remain allegations, not findings of guilt.

Key Facts

• The Karnataka High Court is the state’s highest judicial authority.

Karnataka links vehicle pollution-certificate data with Vahan

1 April 2026

Karnataka introduced a link between vehicle pollution-under-control certificate (PUCC) data and the central Vahan portal from 1 April. New certificates were to update automatically, while older records were to be added in stages. The linkage was intended to make certificate details available digitally for checks outside Karnataka, including through the mParivahan and DigiLocker apps.

Key Facts

• Documents shared through DigiLocker have legal recognition equivalent to corresponding physical certificates.

GBA invites feedback on proposed building-plan setback changes

1 April 2026

The Greater Bengaluru Authority proposed increasing the permitted deviation in building setbacks from 5% to 15%, subject to specified limits. It invited objections and suggestions until 30 April before finalising the amendment; the proposal did not permit additional floors to be regularised.

Key Facts

• The Greater Bengaluru Authority coordinates metropolitan planning across the Greater Bengaluru area.

Hubballi-Dharwad receives ₹68.5 crore incentive for urban works

4 April 2026

Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation received approval for a ₹68.5 crore incentive from the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, linked to its GIS survey and urban-development plans. The survey was reported 80% complete, with door-to-door work still pending; proposed uses for the incentive included central-area redevelopment and the revival of 120 wells.

Key Facts

• GIS links geographically referenced information, supporting spatial analysis useful for urban planning and municipal asset management.

Nambike Naksha completes first year with 12,998 approvals

4 April 2026

Karnataka’s Nambike Naksha digital building-plan approval system completed its first year, covering residential plots of up to 50 × 80 feet. Department figures recorded 15,867 applications, of which 12,998 had been approved; 280 new applications and 149 resubmissions were pending.

Key Facts

• Nambike Naksha includes deemed approval if officials fail to act within 15 days.

Karnataka reiterates HSRP requirement for older vehicles

5 April 2026

Karnataka’s Transport Department clarified that High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) remain mandatory for vehicles registered before 1 April 2019. The department said the state notification requiring the plates had not been stayed by the High Court.

Key Facts

• HSRPs use laser codes, chrome-based holograms and permanent fittings to deter counterfeit plates and improve vehicle identification.

Mysuru raises minimum water charge and suspends proposed vehicle cess

6 April 2026

Mysuru City Corporation’s revised water tariffs took effect on 1 April, raising the minimum charge from ₹125 to ₹163. On 6 April, the corporation said it would not collect its proposed annual vehicle cess for now; the proposed rates ranged from ₹100 for two-wheelers to ₹500 for four-wheelers.

Key Facts

• Mysuru City Corporation is the civic body responsible for municipal services, including ...