Shivakumar Urges Centre to Speed Up Bengaluru Infrastructure and Water Projects

Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday urged the Centre to accelerate several major infrastructure and water projects in Bengaluru and the state, while also seeking solutions to pending Defence land matters and Karnataka’s concerns regarding coastal and Western Ghats environmental regulations. During meetings with Union ministers in New Delhi, Shivakumar pushed for faster decisions on projects linked to Bengaluru’s roads and tunnel network, the ₹16,745-crore Mekedatu drinking water project and the ₹21,167.93-crore Upper Bhadra project. He also raised several issues involving Defence land that have been pending in Bengaluru.

In his meeting with the Defence Minister, Shivakumar sought early decisions on seven matters involving Defence-owned land. One of the key proposals involves 730 acres near the Iblur Firing Range, which Karnataka wants to develop as a permanent public park. The state has proposed that the land be used only for public purposes without commercial development, while ownership would continue to remain with the Defence authorities.

The Chief Minister also sought a solution for 10 notified slum settlements spread across about 43.838 acres of Defence land. Karnataka has proposed providing government land of an equivalent area at another suitable location and has requested permission to undertake repairs and redevelopment in the existing settlements. The state has cited flooding during the monsoon as an additional reason for seeking urgent action.

Shivakumar also called for a review of building-height restrictions around HAL Airport and Air Force Station Yelahanka. Karnataka has proposed reducing the radius within which a mandatory Defence-related NOC is required from 20 km to 15 km, while continuing to maintain aviation safety requirements. Another request relates to Defence land needed for a proposed 24-metre road connecting Lower Agaram Road near the Government Hospital with Sarjapur Road through Ejipura Junction. The road, planned along Bellandur Lake, is expected to strengthen connectivity between eastern and southern Bengaluru and reduce traffic pressure on the Inner and Outer Ring Roads. Since the project has already been tendered and awarded, the state has asked for early permission to commence work.

For the proposed Bengaluru Urban Vehicular Twin Tunnel Project, Karnataka has sought 2.039 acres of Defence land for a ramp near Hebbal. The state has also requested permission for the tunnel to pass through Defence areas near Mekhri Circle without disturbing the land surface. Karnataka has objected to a proposed licence fee equivalent to 33% of the land value, estimated at ₹60.72 crore, and has requested that the fee be reduced to 2%.

The other Defence-related proposals include 6.837 acres for an 18-metre-wide road connecting Airport Road with Sarovara Layout and 0.775 acres from DGQA and PRTC for widening the existing two-lane road at Mekhri Circle to three lanes. During a separate meeting with Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav, Shivakumar raised Karnataka’s concerns over the revision of the Coastal Zone Management Plan and the proposed Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area notification. The state has sought survey-number-wise verification of coastal maps using authenticated revenue records, satellite imagery and physical ground verification. It has also requested recognition of traditional fishing infrastructure and protection for long-established coastal settlements and community structures.

Shivakumar said Karnataka was not seeking any reduction in environmental protection for sensitive areas such as mangroves, sand dunes, turtle nesting sites and other CRZ-I areas. Instead, the state has called for accurate mapping, scientific identification of sensitive zones and regulations that also take into account the livelihoods of traditional coastal communities.

Karnataka has similarly raised concerns over the proposed Western Ghats ESA notification, particularly regarding the possible inclusion of agricultural land, plantations, inhabited areas and livelihood zones. The state has sought survey-number-wise physical verification and scientific ground surveys before the notification is finalised. It has also asked the Centre to subject its CZMP proposals to detailed technical and GIS-based examination, supported by authenticated ground verification.

The Chief Minister has further requested that the Western Ghats notification be finalised only after Karnataka’s proposed physical survey is completed, the recommendations of the High Level Committee are considered and consultations with the state government are held. Shivakumar also met Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil and sought faster decisions on Karnataka’s major water projects. On Mekedatu, the state submitted its Detailed Project Report and compliance report to the Central Water Commission on August 13 and has requested that the appraisal process be completed on priority.

The Chief Minister also sought the Centre’s intervention in connection with the Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal-II award and requested assistance from the Ministry of Jal Shakti in the Supreme Court proceedings, along with early publication of the award in the Gazette. The matter was heard by the Supreme Court on September 23 and has been listed along with pending civil appeals for November 4.

Karnataka has also sought Central assistance for the ₹21,167.93-crore Upper Bhadra Project, including its inclusion under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and early release of financial support. Shivakumar further requested faster appraisal of the state’s proposals under PMKSY and the Flood Management and Border Areas Programme, besides seeking progress on the proposed Godavari-Cauvery and Bedti-Varada river-link projects. The meetings underline Karnataka’s efforts to secure quicker approvals, land clearances and financial assistance from the Centre for Bengaluru’s expanding infrastructure requirements, water security and irrigation projects, while also addressing environmental and land-related concerns.