Karnataka Budget 2024: What Has Been Announced For Bengaluru?

In a bid to transform Bengaluru into a world-class city, the Karnataka government has launched the "Brand Bengaluru" initiative. The government aims to enhance the city's infrastructure and quality of life, as well as attract investors. Key reforms have been introduced across various sectors to achieve these goals. Here's a look at some of the major initiatives announced in the budget:

Brand Bengaluru Initiative

• Focus on augmentation of resources
• Reducing traffic congestion
• Construction of quality roads
• Supply of clean drinking water
• Improvement of public transport
• Beautification of Bengaluru

Tax and Non-tax Resources

• Record tax collections expected in 2023-24, with Rs. 4,300 crore collected, Rs. 1,000 crore more than the previous year
• Tax collection expected to reach Rs. 6,000 crore in 2024-25
• Additional non-tax resources of Rs. 2,000 crore to be mobilized through revised advertisement policy and premium FAR Policy
• Digitalization of property tax records for all 20 lakh properties in BBMP limits

Traffic Congestion

• Approval for white-topping works of major roads of 147 km length at a cost of Rs. 1,700 crore
• Construction of underground tunnels to resolve traffic congestion, starting with a pilot tunnel at Hebbal junction
• Development of all-weather roads within the canal buffer zone, with 100 km already being developed and more planned

Bengaluru Business Corridor

• Repositioning of the peripheral ring road as Bengaluru Business Corridor to address traffic congestion and promote economic activities
• Skydeck and Other Projects
• Construction of a 250 meters high Skydeck in Bengaluru by internationally renowned architects
• Establishment of captive/group captive solar parks in various institutions under the Urban Development Department

Public Transport

• Integration of various modes of public transport, including Metro, Suburban rail, and BMTC, to promote public transport on a large scale
• Addition of 44 km of metro line by March 2025, with plans for further expansion
• Waste Management and Environment
• End-to-end waste management from households to processing centers
• Division of Bengaluru urban district into 4 parts for waste management, with integrated waste management operators selected through a tendering process
• Development of Sarvagna Park in Sarvagnanagara Assembly Constituency

Extended Business Hours

• Permission for shops and establishments to remain open till 1 am in Bengaluru and 10 other corporation areas to boost trade and commerce
• These initiatives are part of the government's comprehensive plan to transform Bengaluru into a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive city.