D.K. Shivakumar seeks fairer Centre-state cost sharing for Bengaluru Metro, faster clearances

Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar sought the Centre’s support in sharing operational cash losses and foreign exchange risks arising from external loans taken for Metro projects

Published - November 13, 2026 05:45 pm IST - Bengaluru

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Karnataka Governor Sudha Yadav and state Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, travels by metro from Tavarekere to IIM Bangalore metro station, in Bengaluru on Friday, November 13, 2026. Photo credit: DPR PMO via ANI

Amid a political dispute between the ruling Congress in Karnataka and the BJP over the sharing of Bengaluru Metro project costs, Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Friday (November 13) urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure a fairer financial partnership, share operational losses and expedite pending approvals for the city’s Metro expansion.

Submitting a memorandum to the Prime Minister during the inauguration of the Bengaluru Metro Pink Line at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB), Mr. Shivakumar said that Karnataka was bearing more than 80% of the financial burden of Metro projects despite the proposed 50:50 Centre-state partnership.

He pointed out that the state’s contribution extended beyond its direct share to include land acquisition costs, state taxes and loan repayments. He also sought the Centre’s support in sharing operational cash losses and foreign exchange risks arising from external loans taken for Metro projects.

Highlighting delays in project approvals, the Chief Minister sought urgent clearance for the proposed Bengaluru Metro Red Line (Phase 3A), connecting Sarjapur and Hebbal, which he said had been pending for nearly two years. He also requested permission to construct double-decker infrastructure along Metro corridors wherever technically feasible, adding that Karnataka was willing to bear the additional cost. Further, he called for project cost estimates to reflect the actual conditions and requirements of individual cities rather than relying on a uniform national average.

Mr. Shivakumar said “Bengaluru had completed more than 103 km of Metro network and was aiming to expand it to at least 500 km. The expansion could help address nearly 50% of the city’s traffic congestion and we need Centre’s support in achieving this target.”

He also proposed establishing a dedicated technical institution for Metro projects across the country to streamline project approvals, improve coordination and encourage the development and adoption of indigenous technologies.

Seeking the Prime Minister’s intervention in Karnataka’s agricultural distress, Mr. Shivakumar said “226 of the state’s 240 taluks had been declared drought-affected, with nearly 58 lakh hectares of crops damaged. The estimated financial loss stood at ₹62,482 crore.”

He sought the early release of ₹22,400.58 crore in assistance under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) to support affected farmers and address the consequences of drought. He also offered to lead an all-party delegation to meet the Prime Minister to discuss the state’s agricultural concerns.

On the sugarcane sector, the Chief Minister urged the Centre to intervene in the pricing dispute, stating that farmers were demanding ₹5,500 per tonne against the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of ₹3,650 per tonne. He also pointed out that the minimum selling price of sugar had remained unchanged at ₹31 per kg since 2019.

Mr. Shivakumar sought a fair share of ethanol allocation for Karnataka and urged the Centre to address the concerns affecting sugarcane farmers and the state’s sugar industry.

The memorandum Chief Minister submitted to Mr. Modi also raised concerns over the Kasturirangan Committee report on the ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats. Mr. Shivakumar stated that the reconsideration of the notification identifying 20,668 sq km across 1,449 villages in 10 districts of Karnataka as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs). “The state government is committed to protecting forests and wildlife in the Western Ghats, the interests and livelihoods of farmers and local communities must also be safeguarded,” he added.

He called for the proposed notification to be reconsidered in consultation with the Karnataka government.

Highlighting Karnataka’s contribution to the country’s economic and technological growth, Mr. Shivakumar described Bengaluru as a city that had consistently pioneered major industrial and scientific achievements.

Speaking at the event, he recalled that Asia’s first hydroelectric power station was established at Shivanasamudra in 1902, making Bengaluru among the earliest Indian cities to receive electricity. He also referred to the establishment of India’s first aircraft manufacturing facility at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Texas Instruments’ first global research and development centre and the country’s first iPhone assembly facility in Bengaluru.