During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bengaluru visit on Sunday, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar requested ₹1.5 lakh crore in central funding for major city infrastructure projects. In a letter to the PM, he proposed building an urban tunnel road network, five Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) lines covering 394 km, the Bengaluru Business Corridor (Peripheral Ring Road), elevated roads along metro lines, flyovers, solid waste plants, new roads over stormwater drains, and expanded drinking water projects.
Shivakumar argued that Karnataka, as the second-highest tax-contributing state — paying ₹4.5 lakh crore annually — should receive support on par with Delhi. Citing the Delhi–Meerut RRTS as a model, he urged similar high-speed rail corridors for Bengaluru. This marks the first official proposal for RRTS in the state.
The government has already explored metro connectivity to nearby towns, with BMRCL studying the feasibility of metro along two of the proposed RRTS routes. Experts note that while metro is suited for intra-city travel, RRTS offers semi-high-speed links (average 100 kmph) for cities 50–200 km apart, with stations spaced farther apart than metro’s.
In June, MP P C Mohan sought feasibility studies for RRTS lines to Mandya–Mysuru, Ramanagara, Tumakuru, and Kolar. RRTS uses standard gauge (1,435 mm) with 25kV AC overhead power and requires dedicated tracks, while Namma Metro uses 750V DC via a third rail.
If approved, the ₹1.5 lakh crore plan could transform Bengaluru’s connectivity and ease pressure on its congested roads.