₹7K-cr allotted to improve infrastructure of Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Bengaluru city is set for a major infrastructure overhaul, with chief minister Siddaramaiah allocating ₹7,000 crore in the state budget – more than double the previous annual grant of ₹3,000 crore.

- HT Correspondent [e-mail]

Our government gives priority to basic infrastructure in Bengaluru city, which makes a major contribution to the state's economy. The yearly grant of ₹3,000 crore being provided will be enhanced to ₹7,000 crore in the current year. A new Special Purpose Vehicle will be established to utilise these grants and implement major developmental works on priority," Siddaramaiah said.

A major highlight of the budget is the government's plan to construct the North-South and East-West tunnel corridors at a cost of ₹40,000 crore. Despite opposition from various quarters, deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar's pet project, the tunnel road, is going ahead with the government standing guarantee for ₹19,000 crore to BBMP for the North-South and East-West tunnel projects.

Additionally, a 40.5 km double-decker flyover will be constructed at a cost of ₹8,916 crore along with Namma Metro Phase-3. To improve road connectivity, a 73 km Peripheral Ring Road project - renamed the "Bengaluru Business Corridor" - will be developed with ₹27,000 crore in assistance from HUDCO Bank. Land acquisition has already begun.