BBMP seeks Rs 8,000-cr budgetary allocation for infra works

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has requested a budgetary allocation of Rs 8,000 crore from the state government, which is set to present its annual budget in March.

The appeal comes as Bengaluru's crumbling infrastructure continues to dent the city's reputation. The BBMP has outlined a series of proposed projects, including flyovers, underpasses, and road-widening initiatives.

Top BBMP sources said the civic body has asked for Rs 3,000 crore to settle outstanding bills for previously announced projects and an additional Rs 5,000 crore for new infrastructure developments.

In a bid to alleviate traffic congestion in Bengaluru, the BBMP consulted a private agency that recommended approximately 16 flyovers, totalling around 124 km, and two tunnel roads spanning roughly 50 km. These initiatives are projected to require an investment of about Rs 1 lakh crore. While the BBMP has requested funds for projects that can commence immediately, it remains unclear which specific projects will be prioritised.

BBMP officials indicated that they did not seek funding for the tunnel road project since the state government has already agreed to act as a guarantor for a loan of up to Rs 19,000 crore.

To cover the remaining costs for underground roads proposed between Central Silk Board-Hebbal and KR Puram-Nayandahalli, officials plan to utilise internal resources such as property tax, premium floor area ratio (FAR), and transferable development rights (TDR).

Although the BBMP has publicly shared its list of 16 flyovers and two tunnel road corridors, there has been minimal discussion regarding which flyovers should take precedence.

In addition, the tunnel road project has faced significant criticism from experts concerned about potential geological and hydrological risks.

Typically, the state government allocates around Rs 3,000 crore annually for special infrastructure projects in Bengaluru. A considerable portion of this funding is required to address pending bills, as the BBMP had undertaken works valued at approximately Rs 10,000 crore prior to the 2023 state assembly elections. All these projects are part of the Amruth Nagarothana scheme, with most either completed or nearing completion.