Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, also Bengaluru Development Minister, presented an ambitious roadmap to ease congestion in Bengaluru. Plans include a township at Bidadi, elevated corridors, tunnel roads, and Metro service expansion. Responding to a suggestion for alternative cities, Shivakumar highlighted the revival of a township project at Bidadi to alleviate urban pressure.
He mentioned previous dropped proposals at Nandagudi, Solur, and Bidadi, now reinstated by the government. The township at Bidadi, benefiting from sufficient water resources, will host discussions on constructing an AI City on 8,000 acres. Additionally, Shivakumar stressed the necessity of a second airport in Bengaluru’s southern region.
Addressing waste management issues, Shivakumar criticized the previous government’s handling of the “garbage mafia.” The current administration has streamlined waste management contracts, reducing them from 89 to 33 packages. Plans for waste disposal sites have been finalized at two locations due to land constraints, including NICE land and Doddaballapura.
On infrastructure improvements, Shivakumar announced the upcoming launch of a 109 km elevated corridor project. He also revealed intentions to build 300 km of buffer roads along stormwater drains, with land support from the Defence Ministry. The expansion of a double-decker road model, with shared costs between agencies, is planned to alleviate traffic congestion.
Highlighting significant investments, Shivakumar disclosed projects worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore aimed at transforming Bengaluru into a global city. The Metro network is set to expand to 350 km in the near future. Despite acknowledging traffic challenges, Shivakumar defended Bengaluru’s situation compared to other major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi.
To address land constraints, the government is advancing the Bengaluru Business Corridor project, with 80% land acquisition approval for the initial phase. Expressing gratitude to HUDCO for funding support, Shivakumar emphasized the importance of tunnel roads as a viable long-term traffic solution. He noted the relatively lower construction costs in Bengaluru compared to other states for such projects.
