Karnataka launches 25,000 crore urban development drive to upgrade 100 cities with fast-track infrastructure projects statewide.
Shivamogga
Karnataka has launched major urban development initiatives worth 25,000 crore aimed at transforming 100 cities across the state, Urban Development Minister Bairathi Suresh announced on Saturday. He said the government has directed departments to complete the works within eight months, marking a fast-track approach to infrastructure improvement.
The minister was speaking after laying foundation stones for development projects worth 127 crore in Shivamogga, including works under the second phase of the Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Vikas Yojana and NGT-funded projects. He also attended the naming ceremony of the D. S. Bangarappa Layout at Bommanakatte Ashraya colony.
Suresh said that over 2,000 crore is being spent on development across 13 municipal corporations in the state. He claimed the state government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar, is driving Karnataka’s growth with large-scale welfare and infrastructure programmes.
He highlighted that 1.30 crore women beneficiaries receive 2,000 monthly under guarantee schemes, with the government spending about 52,000 crore annually on welfare initiatives. He also asserted that the state, not the Centre, is funding major urban projects including Smart City developments.
Responding to opposition criticism, he said all public funds belong to citizens and development must reach the last person in society, following Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s principles.
Local MLA S. N. Channabasappa urged timely completion of projects and raised demands for 27 crore for sanitation workers’ housing. Other legislators also sought long-term planning for Shivamogga’s growing population, which has now crossed four lakh.
Officials said the projects aim to upgrade urban infrastructure, housing, and basic services across rapidly growing cities in Karnataka.
- 25,000 crore urban plan launched
- 100 cities to be upgraded
- Eight-month deadline for completion
- Shivamogga projects worth 127 crore
- Focus on infrastructure development growth
- Housing support for workers proposed