Amid opposition, Karnataka govt. to take up 120-km elevated corridor network

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar during a review meeting in Bengaluru on Thursday. | Photo Credit: special arrangement Amid continuing controversy over Bengaluru’s elevated corridors and other large infrastructure projects, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday reviewed plans for 13 elevated corridors spanning 120 km. The agenda for the city showed that the government is currently in the process of inviting tenders for 11 of the proposed corridors, covering 75.6 km, at an estimated cost of ₹13,262.7 crore, according to details presented at a review meeting. It was also been decided that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) will take up land acquisition for the elevated corridors. A survey of properties likely to be affected by land acquisition for the 11 corridors had already been undertaken. The elevated corridors had been proposed to reduce congestion on major roads and junctions, improve connectivity between Bengaluru’s core and outer areas, and cut travel time. Most of the projects had been planned in line with the Bengaluru Integrated Transport Plan-2020, Mr. Shivakumar pointed out in the meeting with Greater Bengaluru Authority officials. The Chief Minister was reviewing works under all parastatals as the GBA marked one year earlier this month. Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda was also present during the meeting. Economic Development Agency The meeting also dealt with the proposed Economic Development Agency, which was supposed to be set up within one year of the GBA’s formation, with the Minister for Bengaluru Development as its chairperson. The agency can be tasked with attracting investments and generating employment in the GBA limits through suitable public-private partnership projects. The agenda mentioned that the proposal for the agency was placed before the GBA Executive Committee at its second meeting on July 3. Members were asked to submit suggestions or instructions within three days. As no suggestions were received, the proposal was subsequently submitted to the GBA Authority for approval. ₹1,700 crore road works The review also covered white-topping works covering 120.69 km across Bengaluru at a total cost of ₹1,700 crore. Of this, 55.54 km is being taken up under the State government’s ₹800-crore grant for 2023-24, while another 65.15 km is being developed using ₹900 crore from additional tax revenue of the municipal corporations. So far, 64.09 km of roads have been completed and opened to traffic, while work on the remaining stretches is under way. Published - September 10, 2026 11:42 pm IST