Bengaluru Metro Rail Project: State Government Bears 80-90% of Costs, Centre Contributes Just 20%

The Karnataka state government contributed 80-90% of the Bengaluru Metro Rail project cost, while the Centre contributed only 20-30%. Deputy CM D K Shivakumar stated that the Centre has neglected Karnataka and did not provide sufficient funds for the project. Shivakumar appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide Rs 1 lakh crore for Bengaluru's infrastructure development.

The Bengaluru Metro Rail project, a significant infrastructure development in Karnataka, has seen a substantial contribution from the state government, according to Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar. Speaking on Sunday, Shivakumar revealed that the state government has borne 80 to 90 percent of the project cost, with the Centre contributing only 20 to 30 percent [1]. This disparity has sparked a debate on the role of the Centre in funding major infrastructure projects in the state.

Shivakumar highlighted that while the Centre was supposed to shoulder 50 percent of the project cost, it did not provide sufficient funds. He attributed the completion of the project to the state government's efforts, including land acquisition and infrastructure development. The Deputy CM also mentioned that the Centre's contribution was minimal, with some areas receiving as little as 11 percent of the required funds [1].

The Centre's role in the project has been a contentious issue, with Shivakumar claiming that the Centre has neglected Karnataka. He requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide Rs 1 lakh crore for Bengaluru's infrastructure development, citing the city's status as the second-highest tax-generating city in the country [1]. Shivakumar also criticized the Centre's funding for other infrastructure projects in Karnataka, stating that the Centre contributed 20 percent to Ahmedabad's infrastructure project but only 10 percent to Bengaluru's [1].

The Prime Minister's visit to Bengaluru on August 10 to inaugurate the Yellow Line of the Bengaluru Metro and lay the foundation stone for Metro Phase 3 has been met with mixed reactions. BJP leader Tejasvi Surya hailed the visit as a landmark moment for Bengaluru South, stating that the Yellow Line will significantly benefit daily commuters and address traffic congestion [2]. However, Shivakumar's allegations of the Centre's neglect and the state government's majority contribution have cast a shadow over the event.

The Bengaluru Metro Rail project is a significant infrastructure development that aims to ease traffic congestion and improve public transport in the city. The state government's majority contribution underscores the importance of state-level initiatives in infrastructure development. As the project continues to evolve, the funding disparities and the Centre's role in major infrastructure projects in Karnataka will remain a topic of debate.

References:
[1] https://www.ndtvprofit.com/nation/ka-metro-shivakumar-3
[2] https://www.financialexpress.com/business/infrastructure-bengaluru-metro-yellow-line-pm-modi-to-inaugurate-19-15-km-stretch-on-august-10-lay-foundation-for-phase-3-3935291/