Under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's leadership, the Karnataka Government has unveiled a holistic plan to revamp Bengaluru, positioning it as a premier urban centre. Key initiatives include digitizing property tax records for all 20 lakh properties, aiming for a 'record' tax collection of INR 4,300 crore in the current fiscal year. To plug tax leaks, strategies have been devised, while additional revenue streams are to be targeted through revised advertisement policies and a premium Floor Area Ratio (FAR) policy. Infrastructure enhancements focus on road development, traffic decongestion, and the transformation of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) into the Bengaluru Business Corridor under a PPP model. Sustainability efforts include establishing captive solar parks, reinforcing Bengaluru's image as an eco-conscious metropolis.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, the Karnataka Government has revealed a comprehensive roadmap for the development and transformation of Bengaluru. A series of initiatives across various sectors are set to reshape the city's landscape and enhance its status as an urban hub.
One of the flagship projects announced by the Chief Minister is the digitisation of property tax records for all 20 lakh properties in Bengaluru. This initiative aims to modernise administrative processes and issue digital e-Khata documents to property owners, commencing from the fiscal year 2024-25.
This move comes as Bengaluru is on track to achieve a 'record' tax collection of INR 4,300 crore in the current fiscal year, signalling a significant increase of INR 1000 crore compared to the previous fiscal year. Siddaramaiah even indicated that the target for 2024-2025 will be INR. 6000 crore.
To further boost revenue generation, the government has devised strategies to prevent leaks in the tax collection system. Additionally, plans are underway to generate an additional INR 2,000 crore through revised advertisement policies and a premium Floor Area Ratio (FAR) policy. FAR, a formula that determines the ratio between a building's total floor area and its usable construction area, will play a crucial role in enhancing transparency and efficiency in tax collection processes.
Addressing critical infrastructure challenges, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah highlighted key areas of focus for the government in the fiscal year 2024-25. These include augmenting resources, reducing traffic congestion, improving road infrastructure, and ensuring clean drinking water supply in Bengaluru. The introduction of the 'Brand Bengaluru' concept aims to elevate the city's quality of life and attract investors, positioning it as a world-class urban centre.
To tackle traffic congestion head-on, the government has announced plans to complete the construction of 147 km of major roads with white-topping or cement by December 2025. Recognising the challenges associated with road widening, the government intends to address traffic congestion by constructing underground tunnels. As a pilot project, a tunnel will be constructed at Hebbal Junction, a critical traffic hotspot in Bengaluru.
Moreover, the government envisions transforming the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) into the Bengaluru Business Corridor to stimulate economic growth. A project inviting proposals to construct a 73 km road at a cost of INR 27,000 crore under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model is set to kick off this year. Additionally, plans are in place to enhance Bengaluru's tourist appeal by constructing a 250-meter-high Skydeck, envisioned as a landmark attraction.
By moving towards sustainability, the government has announced the establishment of captive solar parks in key city institutions under the Urban Development Department. These solar parks aim to promote renewable energy utilisation and sustainability across key city institutions, further cementing Bengaluru's position as a progressive and environmentally conscious metropolis.
The announcement of these ambitious initiatives demonstrates the Karnataka government's firm commitment to generating inclusive growth, encouraging innovation, and transforming Bengaluru into a model city for the twenty-first century.
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