Karnataka minister Krishna Byre Gowda says he was denied opportunity to speak at PM Modi event after metro funding criticism

Bengaluru: Karnataka minister Krishna Byre Gowda on Thursday expressed disappointment over being dropped from the list of speakers at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's metro event in Bengaluru on Friday, linking the decision to his recent criticism of the Centre's contribution to the city's metro projects.

"The reward for asking for justice for Karnataka state? My speech was cut," Gowda wrote on X.

The Bengaluru Development Minister, who also oversees Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL), said his name featured in the draft programme but was removed from the final schedule.


"My speaking slot was included in the draft programme. In the final list that came last night, the Bengaluru Development Minister's speech was cut," he said.

"We bear most of the capital expenditure. This is how we are punished for asking for a fair share for Karnataka. That's all right, you can cut my speech. But you cannot stop us from working for Bengaluru's development. We will work even harder," he added.

The remarks come a day after Gowda questioned the Centre's share in Bengaluru Metro funding. Addressing reporters on Wednesday, he said the combined cost of Metro Phases 1, 2, 2A, 2B and the proposed Phase 3 stood at Rs 77,891 crore.

According to the minister, Karnataka's contribution amounts to Rs 65,291 crore, or about 84% of the project cost, while the Centre's share is Rs 12,600 crore, or 16%.

"The state is effectively investing nearly five rupees for every rupee contributed by the Centre," Gowda said, arguing that the actual funding pattern differed significantly from the commonly cited 50:50 model for metro projects.

He said the Centre's share had declined across successive metro phases, while Karnataka continued to bear the costs of land acquisition, project overruns and operational losses. The state has so far absorbed about Rs 1,046 crore in operating losses, with another Rs 52 crore yet to be reimbursed, he added.

Calling for higher central support, Gowda said Bengaluru's role as a major contributor to GST, income tax and export earnings warranted greater infrastructure investment. Expanding the metro network to 400-500 km was essential for the city's long-term growth and could not be funded by the state alone, he said.