Bengaluru, 31 July

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has formally appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting additional funding for key Bengaluru infrastructure projects and State irrigation projects. After meeting with Prime Minister, Shivakumar said that there is a need for increased financial support to address the City's growing infrastructure challenges and State’s development.”

In a letter addressed to Prime Minister, Shivakumar outlined the urgent need for funding for eight major infrastructure projects in Bengaluru, along with four significant State irrigation projects. He highlighted the necessity of a substantial Rs 36,950 crore allocation from the Central Budget for a proposed tunnel project in Bengaluru.

Shivakumar said Bengaluru contributes the second highest tax to the national exchequer but the City has "not got anything" in the recent Union budget.

Speaking at Karnataka Bhavan, Shivakumar shared that he had also requested the development of a GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) City-like project in Bengaluru, which had not been positively considered previously.

Shivakumar expressed the importance of upgrading Bengaluru's infrastructure, given the increasing population pressure from both within and outside the State.

Regarding irrigation projects, Shivakumar discussed the requirement for Rs 53,000 crore from the Ministry of Jal Shakti for the Upper Bhadra project. Prime Minister assured Shivakumar that this matter would be addressed in the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

Additionally, Shivakumar brought up the issue of Karnataka releasing more water to Tamil Nadu in July than stipulated, and the ongoing Mahadayi River water dispute.  DKS meets Khattar; discusses traffic, waste management

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Karnataka Deputy Shivakumar discussed several issues related to the state such as traffic decongestion, solid waste management and extension of the Bengaluru suburban rail project.

During a meeting with Shivakumar, Khattar assured full support for Karnataka's development, offering assistance in various initiatives, according to a statement.

Union minister also promised the allocation of buses to Karnataka under PM e-Bus Seva, enhancing the State's public transportation. -Salar News with PTI