Strategic Review Proposes Major Restructuring of Karnataka's Regional Development Authorities

An expert panel has submitted a comprehensive reform blueprint for Karnataka's regional development infrastructure, recommending significant structural changes to enhance governance efficiency and fiscal accountability. The proposal calls for the dissolution of the Malnad and Bayaluseeme Development Boards, citing overlapping functions and administrative redundancies that have hindered coordinated regional planning. Concurrently, the report outlines a substantial overhaul of the Karnataka Kalyan Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB), aimed at streamlining operations and improving project implementation timelines. Financially, the panel has proposed a strategic allocation of ₹29,009 crore to KKRDB, to be disbursed over a five-year period from 2026-27 to 2030-31. This funding framework is designed to support long-term infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives, and social welfare programs in the Kalyan Karnataka region. The recommendations emphasize evidence-based resource allocation, performance monitoring mechanisms, and greater transparency in fund utilization. If implemented, these reforms could fundamentally reshape regional development administration in Karnataka, potentially serving as a model for other states seeking to optimize their development authority structures.