Karnataka Budget 2024: Bengaluru’s Transformational Allocations Unveiled
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, also the state’s finance minister, unveiled the state budget with a substantial outlay of Rs. 3.71 lakh crores, marking his 15th budget presentation.
Emphasizing the priority to position Bengaluru as a global city, Siddaramaiah allocated a significant share of funds to propel infrastructural developments within the city.
In addressing Bengaluru’s persistent traffic issues, the budget outlined ambitious plans, including the white topping of major roads covering 147 km at a cost of ₹1,700 crore, set to be completed by December 2025.
Additionally, the budget proposed the construction of underground tunnels at the traffic-congested Hebbal junction on a pilot basis.
A noteworthy initiative involves repositioning the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) as the Bengaluru Business Corridor, aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and stimulating large-scale economic activities.
The project, costing ₹27,000 crore, is set to commence this year under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Further enhancing Bengaluru’s appeal, the government plans to construct a 250-meter-high sky deck with the involvement of internationally acclaimed architects, intending to make it a prominent tourist destination.
Under the third phase of Namma Metro construction, ₹15,611 crore has been allocated, awaiting central government approval.
By March 2025, an additional 44 km metro line is anticipated to expand the existing Namma Metro lines.
The Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB) will operationalize the Cauvery Phase-5 project, providing 110 liters of daily drinking water to 12 lakh people at an estimated cost of ₹5,500 crore.
In a move benefiting the food and hospitality sector, commercial establishments in Bengaluru are now permitted to remain open until 1 am.
To address waste management challenges, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) plans to procure 50 to 100 acres at four different city outskirts locations, bolstering the city’s waste management infrastructure for the foreseeable future.
These transformative allocations aim to shape Bengaluru’s growth and enhance its status on the global stage.
