Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday in New Delhi, requesting additional funds for Bengaluru’s development and state irrigation projects. Shivakumar highlighted the need for a GIFT City-like development in Bengaluru, which had previously been denied. He sought funds for a tunnel project, signal-free corridors, main roads, and stormwater drains in Bengaluru, as well as for irrigation initiatives.
“Bengaluru contributes the second highest tax to the national exchequer but has received no substantial allocation in the recent Union budget,” Shivakumar remarked. He recalled that during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure, Karnataka received funds for key infrastructure projects like flyovers at Electronics City, Hebbal, and Nelamangala.
Shivakumar emphasized the necessity for better infrastructure in Bengaluru due to the city’s growing population. He urged PM Modi for Central assistance on several mega projects, noting the significant strain on Bengaluru’s infrastructure.
Regarding the Upper Bhadra project, Shivakumar pointed out that despite a ₹ 5,300 crore commitment in the previous Budget, no funds had been released. Modi promised to address this in an upcoming Cabinet meeting. Additionally, Shivakumar discussed the excess water release to Tamil Nadu, requesting PM Modi’s intervention in the Mahadayi water dispute. Modi suggested resolving the issue among the concerned states but accepted the request for Central intervention.
Shivakumar also noted the record release of 2.25 lakh cusecs of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu, urging caution as a red alert was declared in the Cauvery basin due to heavy rains.