Guide to Ward Office Complaints in Bengaluru

Schemes and Local Policies
1

What is a Ward Office in Bengaluru city?


Bruhat Bengaluru Nagara Palike (BBMP) is our city’s municipal corporation - our own local government body that is responsible for many different aspects of our lives. Our city is split into different ‘wards’ - there are a total of 225 wards in Bengaluru.


Each ward has a range of officers who work to ensure we have regular services such as good roads, regular water supply, clean and accessible parks among others. The ward office is headed by a Nodal Officer (click here for a list and contact details of officers) and should also have an elected Corporator after public elections are held. Each ward also has a ward committee with citizens from the neighbourhood, officers from BBMP and other departments.


What services can be found here?

A few examples of services you can avail at the ward office include:

  1. Status of roads and drains
  2. Status of lakes and parks
  3. Details on city plans
  4. Filing of property tax
  5. Filing birth and death certificates
  6. Trade licences

Many of these services are now available online as well. They can be accessed here.

How can you file a grievance?

If you wish to file a complaint about a lake that has not been maintained well or the footpaths that are broken, here is how you can go about it.

For filing a complaint in-person at the ward office:

  1. Find your closest ward office. Click here for more information on how to find the office.
  2. Carry a simple letter with your grievance - it should have the following details:
  • Your name, address and mobile number
  • Your challenge described in easy language
  • Your hope that it will be solved soon as it affects your life
  • A request for a complaint number so that you can track your challenge
  1. Once you reach the office, share the letter and your concern with the Nodal Officer (ask the office staff where they sit)
  2. If you can’t find them, share it with the office staff but make sure they register your complaint in the office register and share a complaint number with you. Request for the office staff’s number so that you can reach out to them later.
  3. Visit the office again in a few days to track the status or call the office staff for the same.

For filing a complaint online:

  1. Visit the BBMP website and file a complaint here.
  2. Call your Nodal Officer using this list and tell them about your complaint. Make sure they register your complaint and share a complaint number you can use to track the status of the complaint
  3. Call the BBMP helpline number on 1533 and file the complaint

A few tips and tricks from citizens who regularly engage with their ward offices:

  1. If you visit the ward office to file a complaint, go in a small group of 2 to 4 neighbours so that the officers understand the urgency.
  2. Visit the office regularly every 3 days to ask for a quick status update - shows that you still care about the problem!
  3. Always carry an identity proof with your address on it and also carry your complaint number so that you can share it if asked
  4. Try to visit on Wednesdays between 10 AM to 5 PM - this is when all Nodal Officers are supposed to be in the office to hear your complaints.
  5. Share your grievance online on social media like Twitter/X and Instagram so that others can also share how this has affected you. Tag popular accounts of active citizen groups like Whitefield Rising or Bengaluru Coalition to receive support and reach more citizens. Also try to tag accounts of BBMP Commissioner and other officials.
  6. Be kind with the office staff! Empathy and understanding helps in developing a long lasting relationship with them to maintain a better neighborhood together.

Solving challenges requires grit and gumption - stick with your problem till it is resolved. There’s always a solution - even to adamant challenges!

Give it a shot and share in the comments on how your journey to problem solving was like.