DK Shivakumar Meets ML Khattar Seeking Centre's Nod For Key Bengaluru Projects

In a significant move to accelerate Bengaluru’s urban infrastructure development, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal, in New Delhi on Tuesday. During the meeting, the Deputy CM submitted a formal request seeking the expeditious clearance and support for several critical projects pending with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

The appeal emphasised that, as a major metropolitan city, Bengaluru requires immediate central intervention to advance its urban transformation agenda and strengthen key infrastructure.

A primary focus of the discussion was the approval of the Revised Completion Cost (RCC) for Phase-2 of the Bangalore Metro Rail Project (BMRCL). The

estimated cost for this phase has increased from Rs 26,405.14 crore to Rs 40,425.02 crore. Although the State Government approved the revised cost on June 5, 2025, and submitted the proposal to the Government of India on June 9, 2025, final approval is still awaited. Shivakumar urged the Union Minister to grant early clearance to ensure the timely completion of the project.

Additionally, the Deputy Chief Minister pushed for the approval of Phase-3A of the BMRCL project, which covers a 36.59 km stretch from Sarjapura to Hebbal. This ambitious project, estimated to cost Rs 28,405 crore, includes 28 stations with a mix of elevated and underground sections. While the Government of Karnataka approved the project in January 2025 and submitted the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for central approval shortly thereafter, the proposal remains pending despite ongoing cost optimisation studies being carried out by M/s SYSTRA. Shivakumar requested the Ministry to expedite the approval process for this crucial transit corridor.

Shivakumar stressed the need for timely clearances and stronger Centre–State coordination to accelerate infrastructure delivery. “Our commitment is clear: faster mobility, cleaner cities, and world-class urban infrastructure for Karnataka,” he said.

Beyond the metro network, the memorandum also sought approval and support for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) for the Bengaluru region and a vital environmental project for the treatment and disposal of legacy leachate at the Mittaganahalli Pond. Shivakumar expressed gratitude for the continued guidance from the Ministry and reiterated that these proposals are critical to the city’s future. The meeting concluded with a request for sustained cooperation between the State and the Centre to meet the growing infrastructure needs of Bengaluru’s citizens.

Reacting to the meeting, former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai urged the Union government to give Bengaluru its fair share. Taking to platform X, Pai said, “Minister @mlkhattar, please clear the pending Bengaluru infrastructure proposals. We are a very large tax contributor, and this is no way to discriminate against us. We suffer daily from the lack of adequate Metro connectivity, and delays affect us badly. Our lives have become miserable because of delays in Metro completion.”