Bengaluru infrastructure push: DK Shivakumar seeks Rs 1.5 lakh-crore central aid

Bengaluru: Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has sought central funding support of Rs 1.5lakh-crore for a series of major infrastructure projects, which he said are aimed at transforming Bengaluru into a "global city".

He submitted the proposal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday. In his letter, Shivakumar highlighted Bengaluru's role as India's largest technology and innovation hub, contributing Rs 4.5lakh-crore annually."Contributing substantially to the national GDP and hosting India's largest IT/ITES base, global investments, research institutions, and skilled talent, Bengaluru drives the country's economy and innovation.

However, rapid urbanisation has created urgent challenges in mobility, water supply, waste management, drainage, housing, and overall infrastructure," his letter read.

According to Shivakumar, the construction of urban tunnels, Bengaluru Business Corridor, integrated solid waste management plants, elevated roads along Metro lines, flyovers, additional drinking water projects, new roads over storm water drains, and Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) will require an estimated investment of Rs 1.5lakh-crore.

"I request the govt of India to extend funding support to Bengaluru on par with Delhi, enabling the city to emerge as a truly global metropolis," his letter read.Eight priority projects in proposal: ■ Urban tunnels and elevated corridors: Two strategic underground tunnels and elevated expressways on key former national highway corridors, along with elevated roads on arterial routes, at a combined cost of Rs 56,780 crore.■ Peripheral Ring Road: A 73km, 8-lane road under PPP model to divert heavy vehicles and ease congestion, estimated at Rs 27,000 crore.■ Integrated solid waste management plants: Four large facilities with composting, recycling, and waste-to-energy units, requiring Rs 3,200 crore, for which a 30% viability gap funding support is sought.■ Metro rail extensions: Additional 128km of corridors connecting peripheral and satellite towns, pending Centre's approvals.■ Double-decker elevated roads: 40.6km of roadways along Metro viaducts in Phase III, at Rs 8,916 crore.■ Buffer area roads: 300km of roads along stormwater drain buffer zones at Rs 3,000 crore.■ Additional Cauvery water supply: Phase VI of the scheme to bring 500 MLD more water by 2028, at Rs 6,939 crore.■ Rapid Rail Transit System: Five corridors connecting Bengaluru with Mysuru, Kanakapura, Tumakuru, Chikkaballapur, and Kolar, modelled on the Delhi–Meerut RRTS.