Bengaluru Development Stalled as Key Projects Miss Out on Budget Funds
The Union Budget 2025-26 has left Bengaluru at a developmental crossroads, with the absence of crucial infrastructure allocations sparking concern among civic leaders and residents. Despite Bengaluru being a key contributor to the national economy, critical projects such as tunnel roads, the Peripheral Ring Road, the Cauvery VI Stage, Namma Metro Phase IV, and 17 flyovers failed to receive funding. The combined cost of these projects was pegged at ₹90,000 crore, and while the state government planned to secure loans from international banks for their execution, the exclusion of these proposals from the budget has raised serious questions about Karnataka’s development priorities.
While the budget did allocate ₹350 crore to the Bengaluru Suburban Railway Project, this amount pales in comparison to the city’s larger infrastructure needs. On a national scale, ₹31,106.18 crore was earmarked for metro and mass rapid transit systems (MRTS), with Bengaluru’s ongoing metro expansion expected to benefit. However, compared to cities like Mumbai, which received ₹500 crore for metro and suburban rail projects alongside port development funding, Bengaluru’s allocation appears inadequate. This contrast has intensified debates over Bengaluru’s perceived neglect in central funding, with activists and policymakers demanding greater financial commitment towards addressing the city’s worsening traffic congestion and urban expansion challenges.
From a sustainability perspective, the lack of investment in Bengaluru’s infrastructure presents long-term concerns. As the city continues to grow at an unprecedented rate, insufficient funding for large-scale urban transport solutions risks exacerbating pollution, congestion, and inefficient mobility. Experts highlight that projects like the Peripheral Ring Road and Metro Phase IV are critical to shifting reliance away from private vehicles and reducing the city’s carbon footprint. Without these enhancements, Bengaluru’s sustainability goals remain at risk, impacting its status as a global IT hub striving towards green urban planning.
Civic leaders and urban planners have criticised the budgetary neglect, calling it a major setback for Bengaluru’s aspirations. Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D.K. Shivakumar described the omission as a “huge letdown,” accusing the central government of overlooking Karnataka’s needs. Civic activists, including Srinivas Alavilli, have urged for special grants to address the infrastructure deficit, pointing out that Bengaluru is one of India’s highest tax-paying cities yet struggles to secure adequate central funding. As Bengaluru continues to grapple with increasing population pressure and urban sprawl, the budget’s shortcomings highlight the urgent need for long-term strategic planning and greater financial backing from both state and central authorities.
