Karnataka Budget: Bengaluru may get lion's share

Bengaluru: Bengaluru city is likely to get a lion's share of the state Budget allocations for 2017-18 to promote  infrastructure development and to complete ongoing projects in the run-up to the 2018 Assembly elections.

With a whopping 28 Assembly constituencies, Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts are important for all political parties to improve their tally in the Assembly. In the 2013 Assembly polls, the BJP had bagged 17 seats while the Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) had won six and five seats respectively despite the anti-incumbency of the then BJP government headed by Jagadish Shettar.

This time, the ruling Congress wants to reverse the trend and bag the maximum seats. As a prelude, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah seems to have decided to focus more on Bengaluru in the budget he will present shortly.

Though consultations with legislators in the state capital are yet to start, the CM has reportedly sought a list of ongoing projects and new projects that would provide a permanent solution to traffic woes. Big money is likely to be allocated for improving basic infrastructure in the city and ensure the projects are completed before the polls.

Sources close to the CM told Deccan Chronicle that improvement of roads, providing drinking water to 110 villages which were brought under BBMP, underground drainage, stormwater drains, solid waste management and garbage crisis were likely to  get more funds.

One of the major complaints of citizens is crumbling infrastructure which is likely to be addressed by the incumbent government. Besides, ongoing projects like Namma Metro, the controversial steel bridge, elevated ring road, skywalks, flyovers and signal-free traffic corridors would  be given sufficient funds to ensure their completion by next year.

The government is aware of the fact that Bengalureans are looking forward to good motorable roads, drinking water and freedom from traffic chaos. Most people spend one or two hours  travelling to reach office and to return home which needs to be reduced by improving metro connectivity and by improving the public transport system.

With people likely to prefer a party which will address these problems, Mr Siddaramaiah has reportedly asked Bengaluru City Development Minister K.J. George to regularly review the progress of ongoing work and submit details of funds required to complete them.

Sources said the CM has been holding meeting with officials regularly to take stock of the situation. After the budget, Mr Siddaramaiah has plans to go on city rounds to personally monitor the progress of work and take decisions on the spot. There is pressure from Congress legislators in Bengaluru to put all ongoing projects on the fast track to complete them before the polls.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said city Congress legislators will give their suggestions when the CM  calls a meeting to know the requirements of Bengaluru.