Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda’s segment gets biggest slice of 2k-crore infra pie

BENGALURU: Byatarayanapura, represented by Bengaluru development minister Krishna Byre Gowda (KBG), has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of Karnataka’s Rs 2,000-crore Bengaluru infrastructure package, with sanctioned works worth Rs 88.5 crore.Soon after taking oath as CM, DK Shivakumar allocated Rs 2,000 crore for Bengaluru. After a few weeks, Gowda announced the money will be allocated to take up asphalting of ward roads and other infra works.A scrutiny of the govt order reveals a striking contrast. While Byatarayanapura tops the list, KR Pura and Mahadevapura constituencies in Bengaluru East City Corporation — home to some of the city’s highest taxpayers, technology parks and fastest-growing neighbourhoods — have received Rs 60 crore and Rs 50 crore, respectively.Among individual constituencies, Shivajinagar follows Byatarayanapura with works worth Rs 80 crore, while Gandhinagar and Chamarajapet have been allocated Rs 73 crore and Rs 71.5 crore, respectively. Bommanahalli has received Rs 60 crore, while BTM Layout, Yeshwanthpur and Shantinagar are among constituencies receiving around Rs 50 crore worth of projects — just as Mahadevapura.Interestingly, the top four assembly constituencies with highest allocation have Congress MLAs.

A corporation-wise analysis shows East has cumulatively got Rs 110 crore, the least among the five newly formed corporations. Bengaluru North, of which Byatarayanapura is part, has the highest at Rs 466.5 crore, followed by West (Rs 415 crore), South (Rs 328 crore) and Central (Rs 311.5 crore).The disparity is likely to raise questions given the persistent infrastructure challenges faced by the IT corridor. Areas such as Whitefield, Bellandur, Varthur, Panathur, Kadugodi, Hoodi and Kundalahalli routinely witness complaints related to poor roads, flooding, traffic congestion and inadequate civic infrastructure.Residents and industry bodies have repeatedly sought greater investment in basic infrastructure as the region continues to drive a significant share of Bengaluru’s economic activity.The govt has projected the initiative as an infrastructure package aimed at addressing long-pending civic issues. An analysis of the order shows that of the total package, Rs 1,631 crore has been set aside for corporation-wise road, drain and footpath works.The remaining Rs 369 crore will fund a range of civic infrastructure projects including parks, community halls, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, sports infrastructure, markets, lake rejuvenation works and other public amenities.The Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP) has alleged a significant portion of the funds earmarked for improving Bengaluru’s road network is being diverted to non-road projects.“While the package has been projected as a major road infrastructure initiative, nearly Rs 369 crore has been allocated for civic works such as MLA offices, community halls, multipurpose buildings, parks and other public facilities,” the party told TOI.BNP questioned what it described as unequal allocation patterns across constituencies and demanded a transparent audit of the package, along with a scientific, citizen-driven framework for future infrastructure spending.The fresh Rs 2,000-crore package comes amid growing scrutiny over Bengaluru’s infrastructure spending, with BJP MP Tejasvi Surya recently demanding a white paper on road expenditure and asking where the Rs 5,500 crore previously earmarked for road works had been spent.Top constituencies by allocation■ Byatarayanapura: Rs 88.5 crore■ Shivajinagar: Rs 80 crore■ Gandhinagar: Rs 73 crore■ Chamarajpet: Rs 71.5 crore■ KR Puram: Rs 60 crore■ Bommanahalli: Rs 60 croreCorporation-Wise Allocation■ Bengaluru North: Rs 466.5 crore■ Bengaluru West: Rs 415 crore■ Bengaluru South: Rs 328 crore■ Bengaluru Central: Rs 311.5 crore■ Bengaluru East: Rs 110 crorePackage Split■ Roads, drains and footpaths: Rs 1,631 crore■ Civic infra and special projects: Rs 369 crore■ Total package: Rs 2,000 crore