Proposal for new Metro line, white-topping of roads: Here’s what Bengaluru got in Karnataka Budget

“In the current year, the Metro lines will be expanded from Baiyyappanahalli to Krishnarajapura, Kengeri to Challaghatta, Nagasandra to Madawara, R V Road to Bommasandra. The total addition of new lines by the end of 2024 will be 27 km. Further, in the next three years, the Metro network will be increased from 70 km to 176 km i.e., 2.5 times the present network coverage. The ongoing work of the airport Metro line will also be expedited and it will be operationalised by 2026,” said Siddaramaiah.

He also informed that a Detailed Project Report has been submitted to the Central government for approval of Metro Phase-III at a cost of Rs 16,328 crore. This project encompasses a total length of 45 km starting from Kempapura to J P Nagar. In the fourth phase, the project will increase the network from Hosahalli to Kadabagere, including the western Outer Ring Road (ORR) line, Siddaramaiah said.

White-topping of 100 km to be taken up at a cost of Rs 800 crore

Siddaramaiah said that his government will take up 100 km of white topping in this financial year at a cost of Rs 800 crore. He said, “Approximately 190 km of roads had been converted into white-topped roads by our government in 2016-17 and 2017-18 and they are still in a very good condition.”

The Chief Minister also said, “in 2016, 12 major roads of Bengaluru of a total length of 192 km having very high traffic congestion were designated as High-Density Corridors. Out of this, 92 km of roads have already been developed and upgraded to ensure a smooth flow of traffic. In 2023-24, 83 km of such roads will be developed at a cost of Rs 273 crore.”

He also said, “The Bengaluru Peripheral Ring Road, which was designed to ease traffic congestion in the city, has been lying on the backburner for the last 15 years. The technical issues of the Peripheral Ring Road have been cleared as the Supreme Court has given consent on November 25, 2021. Now our government will resolve all legal hurdles and make sincere efforts to implement the project expeditiously.”

‘Brand Bengaluru’ to focus on reeling issues

Siddaramaiah said ‘Brand Bengaluru’, a concept to build a positive image of the silicon city on the global map, will focus on nine major issues of the city — traffic management, environment, solid waste management, proper utilisation of public places, public health, animal health, people friendly e-Governance, water security and flood management. However, no funds were specifically allocated under the concept.

Indira Canteen, established by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government in the previous tenure, will be relaunched, the Chief Minister said. He added that the government will devote Rs 100 crore for the repair, renovation and maintenance of these canteens. Also, a new menu will come up in the first phase and Indira canteens will be relaunched in Bengaluru and other towns of the state.

Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) will upgrade 20 sewage treatment plants by March 2026 at a cost of Rs 1,411 crore. The BWSSB will execute this project using their own funds, Siddaramaiah said.

Also, out of Rs 3,400 crore allocated to dispose of legacy waste, Bengaluru has been provided Rs 1,250 crore and the aim is to dispose of legacy waste, liquid waste and to control flow of pollutants into rivers and lakes. Legacy wastes are the wastes that have been collected and kept for years at some barren land as a landfill.

Here’s what else Bengaluru got from the Budget

• A new flyover to connect Sir M Visveswaraya Terminal at a cost of Rs 263 crore.
• Karnataka government to devote Rs 1,000 crore for Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project.
• Legacy waste of 97 lakh tonne to be treated through biomining and bioremediation and in the coming five years, 256 acre of land will be converted into parks in Bengaluru city.
• Rs 100 crore provided to Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Corporation Limited (BSWMCL) for effective operations.