With a week left for the Union Budget to be presented on February 1, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar wrote to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seeking fund allocation for the projects recently initiated by the state government.
The Siddaramaiah-led government in Karnataka has undertaken several significant projects, including tunnel roads, double-decker flyovers, a 73 km-long peripheral ring road, and water supply, for Bengaluru’s development.
In the letter, Shivakumar urged the Centre to extend financial support for Bengaluru’s infrastructure development.
“Bengaluru is emerging as a hub for technological advancement and attracting capital investment at regional and international levels. With state-of-the-art technology integration, Bengaluru has grown into a global city, creating jobs for the young generation and contributing to economic progress,” he said in the letter.
“However, the city’s population has reached nearly 1.5 crore due to its unprecedented growth. Therefore, it is essential to develop the city’s infrastructure to maintain Bengaluru’s reputation as the Silicon Valley of India,” he said.
Stressing that the Centre’s financial support would help the state go a long way, Shivakumar said, “The state government has devised several vital projects, and funding for these projects in the upcoming budget is crucial.”
“The MP representing Karnataka (Sitharaman) is requested to advocate for funding for these critical projects in Bengaluru in the Union Budget,” he appealed.
TUNNEL ROADS TO DECONGEST BENGALURU ROADS
With stifling traffic being the biggest issue in Bengaluru and the widening of existing roads being a challenge, the Karnataka government has now come up with a strategic plan to construct tunnel roads.
The proposed 18.5 km north-south tunnel road from Esteem Mall in Hebbal to Silk Board Junction in HSR Layout will be built at a cost of Rs 15,000 crore. Similarly, a 28.5 km tunnel road from KR Puram Circle to Nayandahalli Junction would require an amount of Rs 25,000 crore.
The state government has prepared a Rs 19,000 crore DPR (Detailed Project Report) for this project and has invited public discussion.
DOUBLE-DECKER FLYOVERS
Buoyed with the success of a double-decker flyover on the soon-to-be-opened Yellow Line Namma Metro from Ragigudda to Silk Board Junction, the state government has now decided to incorporate double-decker structures in the Phase 4 of the metro project.
A 45 km double-decker route from JP Nagar to Hebbal and from Hosahalli to Kadabagere has been proposed at an estimated cost of Rs 8,916 crore.
17 FLYOVERS, 300 KM BUFFER ZONE ROAD
The government has also planned to construct 17 flyovers spanning 99.5 km needed at 11 major junctions, costing Rs 12,000 crore.
Additionally, illegal encroachments on buffer zones around rivers, lakes and stormwater drains have necessitated the construction of a 300 km buffer zone road, requiring Rs 3,000 crore.
PERIPHERAL RING ROAD, DRINKING WATER SUPPLY
To manage Bengaluru’s traffic, the Bangalore Development Authority plans to build an eight-lane, 73.04 km business corridor under a public-private partnership. This project requires Rs 27,000 crore, including Rs 21,000 crore for land acquisition and Rs 6,000 crore for road construction.
The city’s drinking water needs are currently being met through the Cauvery Stage V project. To address the future demand, the Cauvery Stage VI project aims to supply an additional 500 MLD (million liters per day) of water by 2028.
