BENGALURU: On Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveiled several initiatives aimed at transforming Bengaluru into the “world’s most liveable city.” During the presentation of the 2026-27 Budget, he indicated that the five City Corporations under the Greater Bengaluru Authority will leverage their balance sheets to issue ‘Municipal Bonds’ for development activities.
“Bengaluru is not just a city; it embodies numerous aspirations. From Nadaprabhu Kempegowda’s administration to the ongoing start-up boom, the city has preserved its distinctive identity. Our goal is to enhance Bengaluru into the world’s most liveable city,” Siddaramaiah stated.
The Chief Minister announced that the development of ward roads and infrastructure across the five Bengaluru City Corporations would be conducted at a total expenditure of ₹1,255 crore.
To ensure transparent and people-centered governance, the Greater Bengaluru Authority and community corporations have been set up. In the 2025-26 fiscal year, the state government increased its funding for Bengaluru’s development from ₹3,000 crore to ₹7,000 crore, a grant that will continue into the current year.
To ensure the long-term sustainability of roads, plans are underway for white-topping over 450 km, at an estimated cost of ₹3,000 crore over the next three years. The beautification of 175 junctions, upgrades to 500 km of footpaths, and construction of 100 Skywalks are also planned, funded through the Bengaluru City Corporations’ internal resources.
Siddaramaiah announced that a new Revised Master Plan-2041 (RMP) for Bengaluru will be implemented by the end of 2027, accompanied by a Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) to be prepared within six months.
The ‘Namma Metro,’ the country’s second-largest metro rail system, currently operates over a 96 km network, servicing 1 million commuters daily. “Of the ₹67,460 crore spent so far, the state covers ₹59,376 crore while the central government contributes ₹8,084 crore, amounting to only 12%,” he noted.
He further stated that an additional 41 km of metro lines is planned for the FY 2026-27, set to benefit approximately 1.5 million commuters daily. A 9 km pedestrian walkway along the Metro viaduct on the Outer Ring Road (ORR) is planned, with an estimated budget of ₹160 crore, supported by the Outer Ring Road Companies Association (ORRCA).
To ensure a consistent water supply for about 1.4 crore residents in Bengaluru, 2,225 MLD of water is being delivered through Phases I to V of the Cauvery Water Supply Project. “We have initiated the Cauvery Phase VI project costing ₹6,939 crore, with assistance from JICA to additionally supply six TMC of water,” he disclosed.
To alleviate traffic congestion, land acquisition for the 73 km Bengaluru Business Corridor Phase-1 from Tumkuru Road to Hosur Road is advancing swiftly, with priority compensation being allocated to affected farmers, aiming to complete the road within four years.
The North-South Corridor from Hebbal Junction to HSR Layout Silk Board and the East-West Corridor from KR Puram to Mysore Road, covering 40 km of tunnel roads, have been approved at an estimated cost of ₹40,000 crore under the BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) framework. Tenders for the first phase of the 17 km North-South Corridor project are being invited at a cost of ₹17,780 crore.
The Bangalore Development Authority will also construct a Tunnel Road and Elevated Road from Hebbal Junction to Mekhri Circle, with a budget of ₹2,250 crore.
