CM Siddaramaiah welcomes PM Modi to Karnataka, flags 18 long-pending projects requiring Centre’s ‘urgent attention’

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday wrote a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling attention to atleast 18 “long-pending” projects for the state which require the Central government’s “urgent attention”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Karnataka earlier today, where he inaugurated the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district. PM Modi is also set to jointly release the book titled “Saundarya Lahari and Shiva Mahimna Stotram” along with former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda.

In the memorandum handed to the Prime Minister, CM Siddaramaiah highlighted various projects across sectors, including railways, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), grants to gram panchayats, upgrading national highways, pending grants to states, and even pending approval of Mekedatu drinking water project.

“While Karnataka continues to be among the largest contributors to the national exchequer and a leader in economic and social development, certain long-pending issues require the Union Government’s urgent attention. Addressing these concerns will not only accelerate Karnataka’s progress but also strengthen the principles of equity and cooperative federalism,” the CM wrote in the memorandum.

As per the memorandum, the Chief Minister listed out the railway coach factory at Kolar, high-speed rail extension to Mysuru, release of funds for Bengaluru suburban rail and launch of Bengaluru-Mumbai high-speed rail corridor, Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), 15th Finance Commission grants to gram panchayats, sanction and upgradation of National Highway projects, revenue deficit grants, special grant for Bengaluru, expedited appraisal and approval of the Mekedatu drinking water project, gazette notification of KWDT-II Award and declaration of Upper Krishna Project as a National Project, wildlife clearance for Kalasa Nala Diversion Project (Mahadayi), rightful share for Karnataka in interlinking of rivers (ILR) schemes, inclusion of Karnataka’s 56 per cent reservation policy in the Ninth Schedule, inclusion of Certain Other Backward Castes in the Central List of Scheduled Tribes, Sharavathi pumped storage project (2000 MW), establishment of AIIMS in Raichur.

According to the CM, the Centre owes Rs 6,000 Crore to Karnataka in special grant for Bengaluru, and Rs 5,495 crore of pending grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission to address fiscal imbalances and sustain developmental initiatives.

CM Siddaramaiah has also urged the Centre to direct the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Central Water Commission to expedite appraisal and approval of the Mekedatu project, envisaging 67 TMC storage for Bengaluru’s drinking water, regulated releases to Tamil Nadu, and 400 MW hydropower, in line with CWMA referral and the Supreme Court’s 2025 judgment.

On the central assistance for the Upper Bhadra Project under PMKSY-AIBP, CM has called for it be given the “national project status”, as such a project is bound to help drought-prone central Karnataka and provide irrigation to 2.25 lakh hectare of land.

On the establishment of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the Chief Minister wrote, “Early approval of AIIMS at Raichur, in the socio-economically backward Kalyana Karnataka region under Article 371(J), will significantly improve healthcare access and regional development.”

The CM’s memorandum read, “The people of Karnataka look forward with hope and confidence to your kind intervention in resolving these issues. I am certain that the Union Government will enable Karnataka to continue playing a transformative role in India’s journey towards inclusive and sustainable development”. (ANI)