BENGALURU: The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) has initiated a global tender to develop the Revised Master Plan (RMP-2041), which aims to create a comprehensive vision for the city’s future. This decision follows the previous RMP-2031 being put on hold due to criticism over insufficient scientific foundation, inadequate stakeholder involvement, and failure to tackle the city’s rapid and unplanned growth. Interested bidders can submit proposals until September 30.
BDA officials assert that the new plan will rectify past shortcomings and establish a robust framework for managing Bengaluru’s growing population, increasing traffic, and urban expansion. A high-tech 3D drone survey is currently underway, aimed at providing a detailed spatial analysis of the city and its surroundings, covering a significant 1,240 sq km area, which includes 800 sq km within BBMP limits and 440 sq km under BDA jurisdiction.
This drone survey will supply critical planning tools including a base map, land use map, ortho-rectified images, and digital elevation models, facilitating the creation of the new master plan. The last approved master plan, RMP 2015, was formulated in 2005, and the forthcoming RMP 2041 is set to offer a more data-driven, inclusive, and future-oriented framework.
A notable feature of the new plan will be the incorporation of transit-oriented development (TOD), an urban planning approach that prioritizes walkable, mixed-use communities geared towards efficient public transport. This model seeks to alleviate rising traffic congestion and improve overall livability.
Initially, the drone survey was set to be conducted by the Karnataka State Remote Sensing Application Centre. However, following a change in the state government, the BDA opted to open the project to private sector participation through a global tender, aiming to leverage cutting-edge expertise and enhance efficiency.
L Shashikumar, a member of BDA’s town planning team, stated: “A detailed evaluation of various land uses—from agriculture and housing to commercial spaces and revenue lands—is essential for making this plan comprehensive. The preparation of RMP 2041 will entail multiple stages, including stakeholder consultations, public objections, and revisions based on feedback. The base map is nearly complete, and now we need to focus on detailed land use maps that incorporate features such as expanded green spaces, new road networks, and a transit-oriented policy.”
Once the draft plan is prepared, it will be published in the gazette, allowing the public 60 days to provide input and raise objections. These contributions will be reviewed and integrated before the final plan is released. “We aim to finish the entire process by mid-2026,” Shashikumar affirmed, emphasizing that BDA will oversee each step to ensure transparency and timely execution.
