Karnataka Budget 2026: Bengaluru Gets Major Infrastructure Boost

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that an Intermediate Ring Road (IRR) will be constructed using resources from the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) and local planning authorities. 

He added that the Bengaluru Business Corridor (BBC) will be completed within four years, with land acquisition for the 73‑km BBC‑1 already underway and compensation being distributed to farmers on a priority basis. The corridor is designed to decongest the city and establish seamless connectivity around its periphery.

Tunnel Roads and Elevated Links

Siddaramaiah reiterated that the North–South and East–West Tunnel Roads will be built at an estimated cost of ₹40,000 crore under the Build–Own–Operate–Transfer (BOOT) model. 

He confirmed that tenders have already been invited for the 17‑km North–South Corridor at a cost of ₹17,780 crore. In addition, a short tunnel road and an elevated road from Hebbal Junction to Mekhri Circle will be constructed by the Bangalore Development Authority at a cost of ₹2,250 crore.

Aviation Push

The Chief Minister announced that ₹200 crore has been earmarked this year for the development of seven domestic airports, with ₹1,593 crore already released in grants so far. 

He revealed that a second airport for Bengaluru will be developed to decongest Kempegowda International Airport, which has emerged as the country’s third-largest. A feasibility report will be prepared after consultation with the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

He also announced plans to set up a flight training school and establish aircraft manufacturing and assembly units on a public‑private partnership basis at Vijayapura and Shivamogga airports. Shivamogga Airport, inaugurated in February 2023, already handles flights to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa and Tirupati, with work on a night‑landing facility currently in progress.

Suburban Railway Expansion

Nine railway routes are being implemented on 50:50 cost-sharing basis with the Ministry of Railways. An expenditure of ₹2,950 crore has been incurred towards land acquisition, and ₹2,682 crore has been spent on construction works. 

In the Budget for 2026-27, ₹600 crore has been earmarked for this purpose. 

Science City and Electric Mobility

The Karnataka government has submitted a proposal to the centre to establish a state‑of‑the‑art Science City at Adinarayana Hosahalli, Bengaluru, at a cost of ₹233 crore. Upon approval, the state will move forward with design and development.

With World Bank assistance, the Karnataka Electric Bus Programme (KEBP) will be implemented at a cost of ₹2,000 crore. Under this scheme, 32 BMTC depots and 62 depots of other State Road Transport Corporations will be upgraded, and 4,000 electric buses will be inducted.

Road Safety Measures

To improve safety, the Chief Minister announces that a modern software system with a dashboard will be developed at a cost of ₹5 crore in collaboration with IIT Madras and NIC. This system will identify and manage accident black spots across the State, including Bengaluru.

In a bid to effectively manage the growing traffic congestion in the city, the Karnataka government has proposed to develop an integrated digital traffic management platform at a cost of ₹25 crore. The platform will collect and analyse traffic-related data maintained separately by various traffic management agencies, enabling authorities to coordinate better and respond more efficiently to congestion and traffic issues.

Urban Development Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposed that, over the next three years, 175 junctions in Bengaluru will be beautified, 500 km of footpaths upgraded, and 100 skywalks constructed using the internal resources of the city corporations. 

In what comes as a new initiative, 100 “Miyawaki Parks” will be constructed in selected urban areas by densely planting native species to create natural green spaces, announced CM Siddaramaiah. The concept of Miyawaki parks is inspired by the technique used by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki in 1970. The technique is used to boost the growth of plants.