Karnataka Assembly passes urban infrastructure and apartment management bills

The Karnataka Assembly has passed several legislative amendments aimed at improving urban governance and infrastructure management.

The Karnataka Municipalities and Karnataka Municipal Corporations (Amendment) Bills, 2026, empower local authorities to take over dilapidated private roads and drainage systems. If a private road poses a threat to public health or safety, municipal officials can declare it a public road, shifting maintenance responsibilities to the local authority. Notably, the new framework stipulates that original landowners will not receive financial compensation or Development Rights Certificates (TDR) when their roads are taken over.

Additionally, the Assembly passed the Karnataka Apartment (Ownership and Management) Bill, 2026. This legislation provides a legal framework for the governance of common areas, facilities, and ownership rights within residential complexes. The bill addresses disputes regarding the maintenance of clubhouses, open spaces, and roads, while also providing guidance for the future reconstruction of older apartment buildings.

The passage of these bills occurred amid protests and disruptions from opposition members, including the BJP and JD(S).