Bengaluru to get 15-year development roadmap: Shivakumar

Bengaluru, Oct 5 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday said the government was preparing a comprehensive 10-15-year development plan for areas under the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), with emphasis on transportation, housing, water supply and industrial development.

Speaking at a meeting of the advisory committee on the economic development of the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (BMR) at his official residence, Krishna Shivakumar said the government was planning long-term infrastructure development in the region to support the state’s economic growth targets.

The state has set a target of taking its economy to $1 trillion by 2047, while the government aims to increase it to $400-420 billion by 2037, he said.

“In line with this objective, plans are being prepared for smooth transportation, housing and industrial development in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region,” Shivakumar said.

He said the government was planning to establish nine new integrated industrial townships in the BMR to promote industrial growth and create employment opportunities.

“Land measuring 7,900 acres has already been acquired, while the acquisition process for another 5,600 acres is under way,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the government had already announced plans to establish an AI City in the Bengaluru region and stressed the need to develop it on the lines of Punggol in Singapore.

“An AI university is also proposed, and land is required for it. Suitable locations should be identified for establishing the university,” he directed officials.

Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said the government intended to bring the entire Bengaluru Urban district under the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) in a phased manner to ensure systematic development of drinking water and sewerage infrastructure.

“As decided in the previous meeting, the entire Bengaluru Urban district will be brought under the BWSSB, keeping future requirements in mind. This will enable the systematic development of water distribution capacity and sewerage infrastructure across the district,” Byre Gowda said.

He said the government would also identify the complete road network in Bengaluru Urban district and prepare a comprehensive plan for its development.

Shivakumar said all areas of Bengaluru Urban district would be brought under the jurisdiction of urban local bodies to ensure planned development and better delivery of civic services.

The meeting discussed a comprehensive transportation plan aimed at improving connectivity within Bengaluru and its rapidly developing outskirts.

The government plans to expand the Metro network by an additional 312 km by 2037. An additional 72-km suburban rail network is also proposed to improve connectivity between Bengaluru and surrounding areas.

Officials and members of the advisory committee also discussed the construction of a 210-km circular road connecting 10 major hubs around Bengaluru.

A proposal to connect Phase 2 of the Peripheral Ring Road with the NICE Road was also discussed as part of the plan to improve connectivity and ease traffic congestion.

The meeting also discussed the construction of a 270-km Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) corridor connecting the Bengaluru-Tumakuru, Bengaluru-Mysuru and Bengaluru-KGF corridors.

Suggestions were also made to extend the proposed Mumbai-Bengaluru high-speed rail corridor up to Mysuru, which would further strengthen connectivity between Bengaluru and major cities in the state.

The BMR is expected to require around 3,600 million litres per day (MLD) of water by 2037, and the meeting discussed measures to meet the growing drinking water and industrial water requirements of the region.

Shivakumar directed officials to formulate plans keeping in mind the water requirements of Bengaluru and its surrounding areas over the next decade.

The government will focus on the reuse of treated wastewater and the filling of lakes as part of its long-term water management strategy.

The Chief Minister stressed the need to ensure adequate water availability for both residential and industrial requirements.

The proposed expansion of water distribution and sewerage infrastructure across Bengaluru Urban district is also expected to support the region’s growing population and economic activity.

The government also plans to address the housing requirements of the growing population in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region.

“Providing affordable housing for everyone is our commitment. A plan has been prepared to construct 6 lakh to 6.5 lakh houses,” the government said.

The housing plan is aimed at ensuring that people working and living in the rapidly expanding metropolitan region have access to affordable accommodation.

Of the proposed houses, around 40,000 to 50,000 housing units will be provided for workers employed in industries, according to the plan.

The government said the proposed housing, transport, water and industrial infrastructure projects would form part of the broader long-term development strategy for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region.

The advisory committee meeting focused on coordinating these projects with the state’s long-term economic objectives and ensuring that infrastructure development keeps pace with Bengaluru’s expansion.

The government is seeking to prepare the region for its projected population and economic growth through integrated planning covering transportation, industrialisation, housing, water supply, sewerage and civic infrastructure.

–IANS

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