Karnataka government clears GBA's Rs 147 crore scheme to counter air pollution

Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has approved a revised Rs 147.40-crore action plan for Bengaluru under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), allocated in 2023–24. 

From developing new parks in the Byatarayanapura, Mahadevapura and Yelahanka assembly constituencies to installing electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, the action plan aims to tackle air pollution in the city. 

The plan had been drawn up by the now-dissolved Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) as part of the 15th Finance Commission's fourth tranche of funding. The grant will be shared by different departments, including Bescom, BMTC and BSWML. 

The government approved the plans a month after the civic body sent the revised proposal in August. 

So far, Bengaluru has received Rs 115.50 crore in 2023–24, Rs 122.25 crore in 2024–25, and Rs 124.50 crore in 2025–26 under this programme. Further, the city received special grants of Rs 31.90 crore for 2023–24 and Rs 211.41 crore for 2024–25. 

While approving the action plan of Rs 147-crore, the government acknowledged a delay in implementing the works previously approved under this programme. It urged the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) to ensure faster implementation. 

The revised plan includes developing traffic junctions in the Gandhinagar, Hebbal, Malleswaram and Pulakeshinagar divisions, and footpaths near the Iblur metro station, Dinnur Main Road, and Shampura Main Road.

The Bangalore Solid Waste Management Limited (BSWML) has received Rs 25 crore for the scientific closure of the Bagalur landfill for reducing air pollution and fire hazards. 

The Horticulture Department received Rs 30 crore for the development of new parks in Byatarayanapura, Mahadevapura, Yeshwanthpur, Bommanahalli and Yelahanka. Despite having the least number of parks, the KR Puram constituency does not feature in the list. 

The Climate Action Cell, now part of the GBA, plans to utilise Rs 30 crore to enhance green cover and improve footpaths in HSR Layout, Agara Lake, Sarakki, Hennur-Kacharakanahalli Lake, and HBR Layout, among others. 

While Bescom has proposed to use Rs 21.90 crore to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations for public use, the BMTC will spend Rs 10 crore for setting up EV charging infrastructure to support its electric bus fleet.

Fund allocations 

Road infrastructure: Rs 30.5 crore

BSWML: Rs 25 crore

Climate Action Cell: Rs 30 crore

Horticulture: Rs 30 crore

Bescom: 21.90 crore

BMTC: Rs 10 crore