Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Mar 29: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has presented a surplus budget for the financial year 2025-26, setting the stage for a transformative overhaul of the city's infrastructure.

The budget outlines a bold vision for Bengaluru, including the development of world-class roads in the IT corridor at a cost of Rs 400 crore, tunnel projects, and a sky deck initiative aimed at elevating the city's national stature.

In the absence of elected representatives, Dr. Harish Kumar K, Special Commissioner (Finance), presented the revised estimates for 2024-25 and budget estimates for 2025-26. The BBMP elections are yet to take place.

For the fiscal year 2025-26, BBMP anticipates total receipts of Rs 19,930.64 crore, comprising an opening balance of Rs 2.53 crore, own revenue of Rs 11,149.17 crore, and central and state government grants of Rs 8,778.94 crore. With total projected expenditures amounting to Rs 19,927.08 crore, the budget reflects a surplus of Rs 3.56 crore.

Aligning with the principle of “Pedestrian First,” the budget prioritizes the development of 1,000 km of footpaths as part of ongoing and future road projects to enhance walkability across the city.

A significant focus of the budget is the development of a 22.7 km world-class road network in the Outer Ring Road corridor, spanning Central Silk Board to K.R. Puram-Lowry Junction via Baiyappanahalli Metro Station. This ?400 crore project is a collaborative effort between the Karnataka Government, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), and BBMP to support the IT-BT hub housing Fortune 500 companies.

To alleviate Bengaluru’s notorious traffic congestion and enhance connectivity, several mega infrastructure projects have been proposed, including urban vehicular tunnels estimated at Rs 42,000 crore, elevated corridors and grade separators at Rs 13,200 crore, integrated metro and road flyovers (double deckers) at Rs 9,000 crore, white topping of roads at Rs 6,000 crore, and a sky-deck project at Rs 400 crore.

A Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for a Rs 17,780 crore tunnel road along National Highway No.7, connecting Hebbal to Hosur Road via Silk Board. This project is expected to commence within the year. Additionally, a DPR is being drafted for an East-West tunnel project along National Highway No.4, connecting K.R. Puram to Mysore Road. Both tunnel projects, totaling Rs 42,000 crore, will be executed under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) and Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) through public-private partnerships.

The Karnataka government has pledged a financial guarantee of Rs 19,000 crore. The proposed projects will be executed under the Viability Gap Fund (VGF) method, wherein 40% of the costs will be financed through government and BBMP-backed bank loans, with the remaining 60% expected from private concessionaires.

This budget signals a transformative leap forward for Bengaluru, aiming to modernize infrastructure, improve mobility, and enhance the city’s global reputation.