From Water Metro to Film City: Key Highlights of Karnataka’s ₹4.09 Lakh Crore Budget

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented his 16th Budget in the Karnataka Assembly today, with a strong emphasis on industrial development, welfare schemes, infrastructure, education, and healthcare. The total expenditure for the 2025-26 Budget is estimated at Rs 4,09,549 crore, covering revenue expenditure, capital expenditure, and loan repayment. Siddaramaiah termed it a "beacon for the comprehensive development of the state."

Key Announcements and Highlights

Law and Order

• 33 special police stations to be established to curb atrocities against Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
• Rs 559 crore approved for SC colony infrastructure development, with Rs 222 crore allocated for the 2025-26 financial year.
• Infrastructure and Urban Development
• Bengaluru's traffic woes addressed with plans for a 40.5 km double-decker flyover and 300 km of new roads.
• The government guarantees Rs 19,000 crore for BBMP's Rs 40,000 crore tunnel corridor project.
• Namma Metro expansion to Devanahalli for airport connectivity.
• Bengaluru Business Corridor planned at Rs 27,000 crore for a 73 km road project; land acquisition in progress.
• Rs 28,000 crore allocated for a 28.5 km tunnel from KR Puram to Nayandanahalli.
• Mangaluru to launch Karnataka's first water metro.
• Namma Metro to expand by 98.6 km within two years.

Education and Child Welfare

• 100 government primary schools to be upgraded to high schools; 50 to be converted into PU colleges.
• 61 KREIS residential schools to get dedicated buildings with a Rs 1,292 crore allocation.
• Residential schools for construction workers' children to be built in 31 districts at a cost of Rs 750 crore.
• Anganwadi workers' honorarium increased by Rs 1,000; helpers' honorarium increased by Rs 750, benefiting 37 lakh children.
• Children and Women Development Department receives a Rs 34,995 crore allocation.

Healthcare and Social Welfare

• Rs 873 crore allocated for Kalyana Karnataka health initiatives to enhance infrastructure and services.
• The Gruha Lakshmi scheme disbursed Rs 28,608 crore to 1.22 crore women in 2024-25.
• Anna Bhagya Scheme to provide 5 kg of additional rice instead of cash transfers, benefiting 4.21 crore people.

Housing and Economic Support

• Deposit of Rs 1 lakh waived for 12,153 beneficiaries under the CM's 1 Lakh Housing Scheme.
• Karnataka Housing Board to develop 16,140 plots in Suryanagar Phase-IV, Bengaluru.
• 8% interest subsidy on loans up to Rs 1 lakh for street vendors under the PM Swanidhi scheme.

Employment and Culture

• Temple priests' annual salaries hiked from Rs 60,000 to Rs 72,000.
• Mysuru to get a Rs 500 crore International Film City under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Vijayapura Airport to be operational by 2026.