In a bid to reduce traffic congestion, Namma Metro and Bengaluru suburban railway project are being implemented at an estimated cost of Rs 30,000 crore, Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah, while presenting the 14th Karnataka budget speech, said for ‘Brand Bengaluru,’ the priority would be traffic management, solid waste management, proper utilisation of public places, flood management, and public health, among others. The chief minister allocated Rs 45,000 crore for Bengaluru, including Rs 30,000 crore for ‘Namma Metro.’

He announced that approximately Rs 12,000 crore will be spent through various schemes such as Amruta Nagarotthana, High-Density Corridor, road white-topping, solid waste management, encroachment removal and repairs of canals, filling of potholes, etc.

He also alleged that several pro-people programmes like the Amruta Nagarotthana programme and Indira Canteens were neglected by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, that led to gradual decline of urban infrastructure and civic amenities. “By addressing these challenges in a planned and scientific manner we will elevate Bengaluru to international standards,” he added.