D K Shivakumar, Karnataka’s Deputy Chief Minister, urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, to intervene for three major projects in the state. The Deputy CM met Sitharaman in the national capital on Wednesday and sought the central government’s assistance and adequate funds to help complete the three projects: a road tunnel project in Bengaluru, a metro rail network expansion, and a flood mitigation project.
To help ease the traffic congestion in Bengaluru, the state government has proposed to build a 60 km urban tunnel, which will create an East-West and a North-South corridor within the city, and help connect the city’s major roads, bypassing the traffic, reported ANI.
Shivakumar submitted a letter to the Finance Minister and stated that the approximate cost for the project would be nearly Rs 30,000 crore. “This project has several advantages over integrated flyovers, which are often opposed due to their gigantic structure, need for tree/green cover removal, traffic diversion hurdles, and land acquisition issues. The urban tunnel will be underground, saving the surface space and aesthetics, reducing the noise and air pollution, and minimising the disruption and displacement,” the letter read.
The minister informed that the planned project will connect NH7 with NH4 and can be undertaken by the state government in collaboration with the NHAI and requested for the funds to be distributed to both the state government and the NHAI from the central Budget.
Additionally, the Karnataka government identified five metro rail corridors as extensions to the existing metro lines, spanning a length of 129 km. Seeking approval for the same, Shivakumar stressed that these corridors would connect the peripheral areas and the satellite towns of Bengaluru and address the growing demand for public transport.
Regarding the issue of flash floods faced by Bengaluru every monsoon, Shivakumar in his letter said, “The proposal for financial assistance for various interventions, amounting to Rs 30,000 crore was submitted to the World Bank. The proposal has reached the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and is awaiting approval. We request you to kindly expedite the approval process and facilitate the release of funds from the World Bank for this project, which will enhance the flood resilience and livability of Bengaluru.”
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