Bengaluru traffic jams to ease soon? BBMP announces big plans in its budget; Here are key announcements

The civic body of Bengaluru, India's IT capital, in its Budget announced key initiatives including a 110km of flyovers will be constructed with focus on signal-free corridors to solve the traffic crisis.

The BBMP has proposed a 110km of flyovers will be constructed with focus on signal-free corridors. BBMP has already built 200km of white topped roads and is currently laying an additional 157km at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore.

"Many projects, including tunnel roads, double-decker flyovers, elevated corridors, 300km buffer zone roads, whitetopping of roads, skydeck, and illumination of the city, have been taken up to support the Brand Bengaluru initiative," said Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar.

'Brand Bengaluru'

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on Saturday presented its budget for 2025-26, prepared under the "Brand Bengaluru" concept, with an outlay of about Rs 19,930 crore-an almost 50 per cent increase from the previous fiscal year, officials said.

The budget proposes to collect a solid waste management user fee along with property tax from the year 2025-26.

Presented by BBMP Special Commissioner (Finance) Dr Harish Kumar K, the major portion of the budget-about 65 per cent, amounting to Rs 12,952.20 crore-has been allocated for development works.

This was the fifth consecutive budget presented in the absence of an elected body. BBMP Administrator S R Umashankar and Chief Commissioner Tushar Girinath were present during the budget presentation.

"For the first time, BBMP has presented a budget of this scale. Last year, our budget was Rs 13,408 crore; this time, it has increased by Rs 6,521.15 crore to Rs 19,930.64 crore-an almost 50 per cent rise from last year. This was possible because the Karnataka government has provided an additional grant of Rs 4,000 crore," Umashankar told reporters after the budget presentation.

On the technology front, Rs 40 crore will be invested to integrate multiple services into the BBMP-One app, covering property tax, trade licences, waste management, and other civic services. AI-powered Safe City cameras will monitor illegal buildings, potholes, and improper waste disposal.

(with TOI inputs)