Shivakumar, Karnataka's Deputy Chief Minister, made a strong appeal for assistance from Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman during their meeting in New Delhi, focusing on crucial Bengaluru development projects and water resource initiatives.
He highlighted the challenges faced by the state in making Bengaluru a globally competitive city, citing constraints in funding, resources, and inter-agency coordination. Among the requested supports, Shivakumar emphasized the need for financial aid for urban tunnel construction to alleviate traffic congestion, expand the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation to meet rising public transport demands, and bolster flood resilience initiatives through World Bank funding.
The proposed 60 km urban tunnel project, connecting major arterial roads within Bengaluru, comes with an estimated cost of Rs 30,000 crore. Shivakumar urged collaboration between the Karnataka government, NHAI (National Highways Authority of India), and the central budget allocation to execute this project effectively.
Additionally, he sought immediate action from the Ministry of Jal Shakti regarding the Mekedatu project's Detailed Project Report (DPR) appraisal and clearances within the provisions of the CWDT award.
Further, Shivakumar appealed for central assistance of Rs 5,300 crore for the Upper Bhadra project, emphasizing the significance of these initiatives for the state's development and urban infrastructure enhancement.
(With Agency Inputs)
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