CM Siddaramaiah, Deputy CM Shivakumar seek more funds for state in Union Budget

BENGALURU: The Union Budget for the year 2025-26 will be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1. What lies in store for Karnataka in the upcoming budget will be known only on the day it is presented.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, requesting more funds for various projects in Karnataka.

Some of the key projects mentioned in the letter include releasing Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra Project; allocating Rs 15,000 crore for the construction of an 18.5 km tunnel road from Esteem Mall in Hebbal to RR Layout in Silk Board Junction; providing financial assistance for the construction of a 28.5 km tunnel road from KR Puram to Nayandanahalli Junction, estimated to cost Rs 25,000 crore

The state government has prepared a DPR worth Rs 19,000 crore for this project and has allowed public discussion. The center should cooperate in this project.

– After the successful trial of the double-decker flyover that was constructed from Ragigudda to Silk Board Junction on the third phase of our metro’s yellow line, it has been decided to construct the fourth phase of the Metro project with a double decker flyover. An additional Rs 8,916 crore is required for this 45-km-long route from JP Nagar to Hebbal and from Hosahalli to Kadabagere and the state is hoping for central assistance.

The state government has also sought central assistance for these projects:

Allocating Rs 12,000 crore for the construction of 17 flyovers, running 99.50 km, at 11 junctions in Bengaluru.

Financial assistance for the construction of a 300-km long road along the buffer zone of major rivers, lakes, and canals at an estimated cost of Rs 30,000 crore.

The Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) is planning to build an 8-lane, 73.04-km long business corridor in private-public partnership to ease the traffic congestion in Bengaluru. The government is requesting allocating Rs 27,000 crore for the development of this project. Out this, Rs 21,000 crore is for land acquisition and 6,000 crore for road construction..

Financial assistance for the sixth stage of the Cauvery water supply project, aimed at providing an additional 500 MLD of water to Bengaluru by 2028.