Karnataka Government Outlines ₹1 Lakh Crore Infrastructure Plan to Address Bengaluru Traffic and Urban Growth

Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar outlined a series of infrastructure projects aimed at addressing Bengaluru’s traffic congestion and rapid population growth during a meeting with city legislators at his official residence, Krishna, on Tuesday.

According to the Chief Minister's office, the state government has prioritized road construction due to inadequacy in existing road capacity relative to the rising volume of vehicles and population. To combat this, several major road projects are currently under development, including a 40-kilometer two-lane tunnel corridor, a 120-kilometer elevated corridor, and the upgrading of 1,500 kilometers of arterial and sub-arterial roads.

Construction has commenced on a two-kilometer short tunnel at Hebbal. The 16.5-kilometer North-South corridor has an estimated cost of ₹17,780 crore, with the state government contributing ₹7,000 crore. Additionally, a 21-kilometer East-West corridor with two entry points has been planned. The 120-kilometer elevated corridor, structured under National Highway standards, carries an estimated cost of ₹23,165 crore and is divided into four categories, ensuring corridors shorter than 10 kilometers remain toll-free.

The government also plans to introduce around 500 kilometers of new road connections, consisting of 300 kilometers of buffer roads along stormwater channels and 68 kilometers of business corridor development. Furthermore, the 17-kilometer Outer Ring Road will undergo redevelopment, and an 18-kilometer white-topping project on the city's outskirts will start soon. Shivakumar noted that while a 37-kilometer double-decker road has been proposed within the Outer Ring Road area, the Centre has approved only 11 kilometers so far.

Addressing public transit and utilities, the government aims to expand the Metro network from its current 96 kilometers to 170 kilometers by 2027. Bengaluru currently operates 7,000 buses, with plans to incorporate an additional 4,500 vehicles. Work on the suburban rail network is progressing with a target to provide 150 kilometers of connectivity by 2030, alongside the Cauvery Stage-6 project to augment the city's water supply.

To alleviate pressure on central Bengaluru, Shivakumar stated that at least 65 gram panchayats outside the Greater Bengaluru Authority limits that have become urbanised will be upgraded to urban local bodies. These areas will receive phased drinking water, sewerage systems, and upgraded roads.

For waste management, new garbage contracts will handle up to 9,000 tonnes of waste based on vehicle capacity, making GPS tracking mandatory for all collection vehicles with strict penalties for non-performing contractors.

The Bengaluru Development Authority and the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board are making substantial investments as part of a 10-year development plan prepared ahead of Bengaluru's 500th anniversary in 2037. The overall development blueprint requires an investment of approximately ₹1 lakh crore.

"Large-scale urban infrastructure investments are critical for sustaining business ecosystems and economic productivity in major metropolitan hubs like Bengaluru. A systematic, long-term approach to public transit, road networks, and civic utilities directly impacts commercial growth, logistics efficiency, and the overall ease of doing business for startups and enterprises operating in the region." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes