Bengaluru Infrastructure Development to Receive Priority: CM D.K. Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said the state government is committed to upgrading Bengaluru's infrastructure and will give high priority to the city's development. He made this statement during a meeting with Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of the Legislative Council from Bengaluru city, held at his official residence, Krishna, on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister said several major road projects are already under way to ease traffic in the city. These include a 40-kilometre two-lane tunnel corridor, a 120-kilometre elevated corridor, and the upgrading of 1,500 kilometres of arterial and sub-arterial roads.

He explained that Bengaluru's population and vehicle numbers are growing faster than those of other major Indian cities, while its road capacity is lower. For this reason, the government has given priority to road construction.

Work has begun on a 2-kilometre short tunnel at Hebbal. The 16.5-kilometre North-South corridor is estimated to cost Rs. 17,780 crore, of which the state government will invest Rs. 7,000 crore. The 21-kilometre East-West corridor will have two entry points. The 120-kilometre elevated corridor has been planned under National Highway standards at an estimated cost of Rs. 23,165 crore. It has been divided into four categories, and corridors shorter than 10 kilometres will be toll-free.

The city is also taking up about 500 kilometres of new road connections. This includes 300 kilometres of buffer roads along the storm water channels and 68 kilometres of business corridor development. The 17-kilometre Outer Ring Road will be redeveloped, and an 18-kilometre white-topping project will soon begin on the city's outskirts. The state government has proposed a 37-kilometre double-decker road within the Outer Ring Road area, but the Centre has so far approved only 11 kilometres.

The Chief Minister assured legislators that funds have been allocated without any discrimination and that adequate resources have been provided to every Assembly constituency in the city. He said that if MLAs submit proposals for urgent works in their constituencies, the government will act quickly to release the funds. He added that the Bengaluru Development Authority and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) are making substantial investments in the city's infrastructure.

The government has also prepared a 10-year development plan, as Bengaluru will complete 500 years in 2037. The new projects will require about Rs. 1 lakh crore.

The government aims to increase the metro network from the current 96 kilometres to 170 kilometres by 2027. The city now has 7,000 buses and plans to add 4,500 more. Work on the suburban rail network is in progress, with a target of 150 kilometres of connectivity by 2030. The Chief Minister also said that the Cauvery Stage 6 project will be taken up to supply additional water to the city.

Sixty-five grama panchayats located outside the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) limits are already urbanised. The government plans to upgrade them to urban local bodies to reduce pressure on the city. Drinking water and sewerage systems will be provided in these areas in phases, and proposals for road upgrades are being prepared.

The government has restructured garbage collection contracts to improve waste management in the city. Originally, 33 packages were prepared across 27 zones. Tenders have now been opened for 21 of these packages, and work orders will be issued shortly to all eligible bidders. The new contracts will allow collection of up to 9,000 tonnes of waste, based on vehicle capacity. GPS will be mandatory on all waste collection vehicles, and only new vehicles will be permitted. The Chief Minister warned that strict action will be taken against contractors who neglect their duties.

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Bharath Anjanappa

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Bharath Anjanappa is an experienced journalist specializing in Politics and Civic issues. With over a decade (2012 till date) of writing expertise, he handles or contributes towards Bengaluru sector/area. Bharath Anjanappa has completed his graduation/post-graduation from Bangalore University (with a specialization in Finance, Marketing and HR). When not immersed in writing, he can be found spending time farming. Bharath Anjanappa is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing on current political situation and Civic issues. With 12 years of experience, he has honed his craft in various genres, including entertainment, crime, education and Politics. Bharath's diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched his writing with unique perspectives.

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