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The Shakti scheme will offer free bus travel for women on state-run buses, with Rs 5,300 crore earmarked for the scheme in 2025-26.
Bengaluru Metro. (Representational Image)
Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the state budget for the financial year 2025-26, with a focus on improving infrastructure and offering relief to commuters.
Having said that, a total of Rs. 51,034 crores has been allocated for various guarantee schemes this year, as per Times Now.
Metro Expansion Plans
The Namma Metro, which currently serves 8.5 lakh passengers daily across 68 stations, will continue to be key in solving Bengaluru’s traffic woes. The government has announced plans to expand the Metro network by 98.6 km within the next two years.
There are also proposals to extend the Metro to Devanahalli, improving airport connectivity. Rs. 19,000 crore has been pledged to support the construction of North-South and East-West tunnel corridors, part of the larger Rs. 40,000 crore project.
Major Infrastructure Investments for Bengaluru
The budget also highlights significant investments in urban development for Bengaluru. The government has pledged Rs 19,000 crore to the BBMP for constructing North-South and East-West corridor tunnels, costing an estimated Rs 40,000 crore.
To ease traffic woes further, several key infrastructure projects have been greenlit:
- Double-Decker Flyover: A 40.5 km flyover will be built at a cost of Rs 8,916 crore, alongside Namma Metro’s Phase 3.
- New Roads: A 300 km network of additional roads will be constructed using canal buffer zones, at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore.
- Upgrading Existing Roads: The 460 km arterial and sub-arterial road network will see upgrades with Rs 660 crore in funding.
- Flyovers & Grade Separators: A total of 120 km of flyovers and grade separators will be built to ease congestion at key junctions.
Shakti Scheme for Women
The state will provide free bus travel for women on state-run buses under the Shakti scheme, with Rs 5,300 crore set aside for 2025-26.
Signal-Free Corridors
To tackle Bengaluru’s traffic congestion, the government has announced signal-free corridors on major roads, ensuring smoother and faster travel across the city.
Additionally, the government has launched the Chief Minister’s Infrastructure Development Program (CMIDP) with an investment of Rs. 8,000 crore, focusing on minor irrigation, road networks, and urban infrastructure improvements across all legislative constituencies in the state.
