Grand civic budget for Brand Bengaluru aims to improve quality of life

Bengaluru: While the real utility of some ambitious projects such as tunnel roads and skydeck is still being debated, the BBMP, with its budget conceptualised under ‘Brand Bengaluru', has divided its work into eight segments: Sugama Sanchara, Clean Bengaluru, Green Bengaluru, Tech Bengaluru, Education Bengaluru, Healthy Bengaluru, Vibrant Bengaluru, and Water Secure Bengaluru.
It has announced a substantial direct allocation of Rs 1,790 crore for its comprehensive ‘Brand Bengaluru' initiative in the 2025-26 budget, while hundreds of crores of rupees more are expected for specific projects. The additional money will be raised through borrowings, special state govt and central govt grants, and other sources.
Bengaluru development minister DK Shivakumar said: "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."
The civic body has earmarked funds for several large-scale infrastructure projects, including Rs 42,000 crore for the urban vehicular tunnel project, Rs 13,200 crore for elevated corridors and grade separators, and Rs 9,000 crore for an integrated Metro-and-road flyover system.
"As this is a huge project, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be formed consisting of town planners, engineers, and administrators for effective implementation. We're aiming to complete everything within five years," Harish Kumar, special commissioner (finance), said.
To ease congestion, 110km of flyovers will be constructed with focus on signal-free corridors. BBMP has already built 200km of whitetopped roads and is currently laying an additional 157km at a cost of Rs 1,700 crore.
The education segment has received Rs 183.7 crore, with plans for five new schools in the outer zones. BBMP teachers will receive a Rs 2,000 monthly salary increase, with Rs 23.3 crore allocated for school maintenance and Rs 120.3 crore for educational programmes.
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.
The Water Secure Bengaluru initiative has received Rs 210 crore for lake development and maintenance, including plans for bird repositories and rainwater harvesting systems in BBMP buildings and public spaces. "The state govt, with World Bank assistance of Rs 2,000 crore, will enhance Bengaluru's climate resilience. A major project involves constructing barriers along 174km of rajakaluves to prevent flooding," BBMP chief commissioner Tushar Giri Nath said.
Clean, green & vibrant
For Vibrant Bengaluru, the civic authority has earmarked Rs 50 crore for decorative lights, Rs 25 crore for junction improvements, and Rs 50 crore for a skydeck. There are also plans to transition to LED lighting across the city, which is expected to reduce electricity costs from Rs 300 crore to Rs 200 crore by 2025-26.
Under Clean Bengaluru, Rs 187 crore has been allocated to process 39 lakh tonnes of legacy waste at multiple sites. The Green Bengaluru segment has received Rs 51.6 crore for tree canopy management and wildlife conservation, with plans to plant 5 lakh saplings in 2025-26 using CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds.
The health sector will see bed capacity in 19 hospitals increase from 852 to 1,122. Sixty blood tests will be offered free of charge at all UPHCs and Namma Clinics, and 26 dental units will be launched. The initiative also includes 144 electric vehicles to enhance immunisation services for the urban poor.