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BENGALURU: In a major move to address the city’s ailing civic and transport infrastructure, the Karnataka cabinet on Thursday approved ₹2,296 crore for a series of development projects under the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA). The funds will be directed towards road asphalting, drainage repair, and civic upgrades across five newly formed city corporations, marking one of the largest allocations for urban improvement in recent years. Major allocation for infrastructure works Of the total ₹2,296 crore sanctioned, ₹1,241 crore has been earmarked for a special scheme to build infrastructure facilities for the newly constituted corporations under GBA. The remaining ₹1,055 crore will fund basic infrastructure and development projects under the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Programme, announced in the 2025–26 state budget. Law and parliamentary affairs minister H.K. Patil said the cabinet had approved an action plan focused on road upgrades and directed officials to expedite the process. “The funds will be utilised to asphalt roads,” he said, adding that officials have been instructed to invite short-term tenders and secure administrative and technical approvals simultaneously to accelerate implementation. Response to civic criticism The decision comes amid mounting criticism from industry leaders and residents over Bengaluru’s deteriorating roads and inadequate civic infrastructure. Tech industry executives had recently called for urgent government intervention to improve the city’s livability and mobility. The cabinet’s move is expected to bring visible changes to Bengaluru’s urban landscape. Works will include road resurfacing, stormwater drain repairs, footpath improvements, and the construction of community amenities such as multipurpose halls and local markets. Constituency-specific projects The government also cleared several constituency-level projects, aimed at improving local infrastructure and public spaces. Among the sanctioned works are: Decorative tusker poles in Yelahanka Park upgrades with gym equipment in Basavanagudi Construction of a bhajana mandira and anubhava mantapa in Vijayanagar A government higher primary school in Malleswaram CCTV camera installation in Chamarajpet Renovation of sections of K.R. Market, one of the city’s oldest and busiest trading hubs Officials said the initiative aims to ensure equitable development across constituencies and enhance the city’s civic amenities in line with the Greater Bengaluru blueprint. Flood damage compensation request In a related decision, the cabinet approved the submission of a recovery and reconstruction memorandum to the Central government, seeking ₹1,545 crore in compensation for public infrastructure losses caused by recent floods in North Karnataka. “This is the first time the state government is seeking aid specifically for infrastructure losses,” Patil said. He added that a separate memorandum would soon be sent to the Centre for crop loss compensation to assist affected farmers. Technology and innovation initiatives The cabinet also sanctioned ₹69 crore for the Cauvery IT Cell, an in-house technical development division under the stamps and registration department, which will be outsourced for five years to enhance efficiency and technological capability. In another move to boost entrepreneurship and innovation, the cabinet approved the establishment of Technology Business Incubators 2.0 at a cost of ₹80 crore over five years under the Karnataka Start-up Policy 2022–27. These incubators will be set up across eight districts — three in Belagavi, two in Mysuru, and one each in Bagalkot, Mangaluru, Shivamogga, Dharwad, Tumakuru, and Hassan. Strengthening climate resilience The cabinet also cleared the Karnataka Strengthening Coastal Resilience and Economy Project, jointly implemented with the World Bank, aimed at ecological restoration, climate adaptation, and sustainable livelihoods in the coastal and Western Ghats regions. For this, the government sanctioned ₹20.47 crore for technical and management consultancy services. The latest cabinet decisions highlight the state’s push for balanced infrastructure growth, combining urban development in Bengaluru with climate resilience and technology initiatives across Karnataka. With over ₹2,000 crore set aside for Bengaluru alone, the move is expected to signal the government’s commitment to restoring the city’s infrastructure credibility and addressing long-standing concerns from citizens and industry stakeholders alike.
