“Shivakumar Urges PM Modi for Bengaluru Funds and Irrigation Boost”

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday in New Delhi, requesting more funds for the development of Bengaluru and irrigation projects in the state. He mentioned that despite their appeal for a GIFT City-like development in Bengaluru being declined, they are now seeking financial support for various infrastructure projects including tunnels, signal-free corridors, main roads, and stormwater drains, as well as for irrigation projects.

Shivakumar highlighted that Bengaluru contributes the second-highest tax revenue to the national exchequer but received no significant allocations in the recent Union budget. He recalled that during former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s tenure, Karnataka received funds for flyovers at Electronics City, Hebbal, and Nelamangala.

The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the Prime Minister explained only one GIFT City could be established in the country, which is in Gujarat. Consequently, Shivakumar requested central assistance for several mega projects in Bengaluru, emphasizing the city’s need for better infrastructure due to the influx of people from outside. He also addressed the Upper Bhadra project, noting that the Centre had not released the committed Rs 5,300 crore from the previous budget, to which the Prime Minister promised to address it in the upcoming Cabinet meeting.

Regarding the Mahadayi issue, Shivakumar sought the Prime Minister’s intervention, but Modi suggested it be resolved internally. Shivakumar also spoke about the Cauvery water sharing issue, mentioning that 2.25 lakh cusecs of water were released to Tamil Nadu, the highest ever, and urged people in the Cauvery basin to be cautious due to heavy rains and a declared red alert.