BBMP budget to exceed ₹18 thousand crore

 Implementation of mega projects, allocation of funds are in ‘realistic budget’!

BBMP budget to exceed ₹18 thousand crore

Kere Manjunath ಕೆರೆ ಮಂಜುನಾಥ್

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, which has received a large contribution of grants and guarantees through the state government budget, is preparing to present an ‘outline budget’ for the implementation of its mega projects.

BBMP, which will receive an additional grant of ₹4 thousand crore from the state budget from 2025-26, will provide information on which projects it will allocate it, and how the tunnel road project, which has received a guarantee of ₹19 thousand crore, will be implemented. Thus, it is estimated that the BBMP budget will exceed ₹18 thousand crore.

In the last one year, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced many projects, including mega projects, including the tunnel road. The feasibility report for the ‘Bengaluru Integrated Traffic Management Project’, which will construct 16 flyovers/underpasses for smooth traffic in the city at a cost of about ₹54,000 crore, is also ready. 

Officials said that the BBMP budget will indicate the funding for 21 projects under the ‘Brand Bengaluru’ concept, including these projects, and the city’s infrastructure projects, their titles and implementation areas. 

There are many doubts among the citizens about the tunnel road project, which is considered the city’s biggest project, at a cost of about ₹40,000 crore. There is also confusion about the implementation process of this project. The budget will provide a clear outline to resolve all this. 

Although the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is ready, the process of inviting tenders for the north-south corridor of the tunnel road has been postponed by four months. Now, the tender process will start only after the budget. The state government's budget clearly states that a 'Special Purpose Vehicle' (SPV) will be set up for the implementation and management of major projects. Thus, the BBMP budget will decide which projects will be managed under the SPV, as well as the procedure for the SPV.

Presentation on 20: 

BBMP budget preparation is in the final stage, all that remains is to hold a meeting with the people's representatives and seek their advice. After this, the budget will be finalized under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister.

Since March 30 and 31 are government holidays, the BBMP budget has to be approved by the government by March 29. Thus, the budget will be presented on March 20 or 21. Sources said that the BBMP, which has received 'financial strength' from the state government, hopes to present a budget that is popular with the people of the city.

Final preparations underway: Harish

‘The preparation of the BBMP budget is in the final stages, and discussions will be held with the city’s ministers and MLAs this week. Suggestions have already been received from the citizens. A ‘real budget’ will be presented, which will include the nature and implementation details of the projects to be undertaken in the city next year,’ said BBMP Finance Special Commissioner Harish Kumar.

BBMP Budget 2024–25

₹ 12,371.63 crore; Total Budget Estimate

₹ 12,369.46 crore; Total Expenditure

₹2.17 crore; Savings

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BBMP Budget 2023–24

₹11,163 crore; Total Budget Estimate

₹11,157 crore; Total Expenditure

₹6.14 crore; Savings