Centre clears 23 highway projects worth Rs 10,749 crore in Karnataka

Karnataka government says it has laid emphasis on improving infrastructure and spent Rs 14,690 crore, covering multiple categories of roadworks

NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has cleared 23 projects worth Rs 10,749 crore in Karnataka, covering nearly 600 km of highways.

These highway projects will be completed by the financial year 2026, said a statement.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government said it has laid emphasis on improving infrastructure and spent Rs 14,690 crore, covering multiple categories of roadworks, including 3,543 km of State highways and 4,813 km of district roads, along with several bridge projects.

In December 2024, the government unveiled a Rs 6,000-crore package for road redevelopment, with Rs 4,000 crore earmarked for Public Works Department projects and Rs 2,000 crore for rural connectivity.

The State has also set up Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-Smile), a special purpose vehicle with Rs 7,000 crore funding, to execute urban mobility projects such as tunnel roads and flyovers.

Dismissing the criticism by the Opposition BJP that infrastructure has collapsed in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that his government had invested Rs 14,690 crore in developing State highways, constructing bridges and laying concrete roads over the past two-and-a-half years.

“The projects have been approved to ensure smooth transportation, and even if rains have caused delays, we will complete them — no matter what,” Siddaramaiah said in a post on X.

Taking aim at the Opposition, he added: “What face do BJP leaders have to criticise us after recklessly approving projects for a 40% commission, burdening the State with debt of tens of thousands of crores?”