News Brief
Bengaluru Set To Get Major Infrastructure Upgrades As Karnataka Budget Focuses On Metro Expansion, Tunnel Corridors And Signal-Free Roads
The Bengaluru Metro. (Facebook).
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, while presenting his record 16th budget on 7 March, announced a major infrastructure boost for Bengaluru.
The move comes ahead of the Bengaluru civic body elections and amid mounting public dissatisfaction over the city’s poor infrastructure.
“The government prioritises basic infrastructure in Bengaluru, which plays a key role in the state’s economy. The annual grant of Rs 3,000 crore will be increased to Rs 7,000 crore in 2025-26,” he said, Moneycontrol reported.
To ensure effective execution of infrastructure projects and oversee these funds, the government will establish a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
This move reduces BBMP’s role in large-scale development, following criticism of its handling of Bengaluru’s infrastructure.
Siddaramaiah stated that efforts are underway to reduce Bengaluru’s urban pressure by fostering the development of second- and third-tier cities.
The budget also includes plans to extend the Metro line from Kempegowda International Airport to Devanahalli.
Siddaramaiah said the government plans to add 98.6 km of new metro routes in the next two years.
"The government is also planning to extend the Metro network up to Devanahalli," he said.
Currently, the Bengaluru Metro network spans 79.65 km, catering to around 8.5 lakh daily passengers.
Siddaramaiah also provided an update on the long-delayed Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) project, confirming that land acquisition has begun with dedicated teams in place.
The CM announced that Bengaluru’s Majestic bus stand would undergo redevelopment under a public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The project aims to transform it into a modern transport hub with a commercial complex.
“A new satellite bus stand will also be built at KR Pura in Bengaluru East under the PPP model to ease congestion,” he said.
Additionally, 2,381 diesel buses and 716 electric buses will be added to the state’s four road transport corporations in 2024-25.
The budget also includes several flagship projects under the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ initiative, championed by Deputy CM and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar.
He said the government has guaranteed Rs 19,000 crore to BBMP for the North-South and East-West tunnel corridors, estimated to cost Rs 40,000 crore.
Under ‘Brand Bengaluru,’ the government has allocated Rs 1,800 crore for 21 schemes in 2024-25.
Measures to ease congestion include making key roads signal-free and constructing a 40.5 km double-decker flyover alongside Namma Metro Phase 3 for Rs 8,916 crore.
Further, Rs 3,000 crore will be spent on building 300 km of roads using canal buffer zones, while 460 km of arterial and sub-arterial roads will be developed for Rs 660 crore.
Another 120 km of flyovers and grade separators are also planned.
