Kumaraswamy meets Gadkari, seeks Centre's support for Karnataka road projects
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways,
Nitin Gadkari
, on Tuesday to discuss infrastructure proposals for Karnataka, including a proposed underground road network and the Peripheral Ring Road in Bengaluru.
During the meeting at Gadkari's residence in New Delhi, Kumaraswamy raised concerns over increasing traffic congestion in Bengaluru and sought the Centre's assistance for implementing new road systems aimed at connecting key zones in the city.
Kumaraswamy said the rapid population growth in Bengaluru has led to rising congestion and stressed the need for a new road network and ring road system. He added that these projects could help decongest the city centre and enable more sustainable urban planning.
Gadkari was reportedly receptive to the proposals.
Push for Shiradi Ghat completion, highway upgrades
Kumaraswamy also urged the Minister to expedite work on the
Shiradi Ghat Road Project
, a key route linking Bengaluru to Mangaluru. He flagged the slow pace of construction, saying it has impacted connectivity and caused disruptions for travellers and freight movement.
He further sought Centre's intervention in other ongoing or proposed highway projects across the state. These include:
Upgrading the NH-75 Kunigal sectionDeclaring the Channarayapatna–Makutta road (State Highway 8) as a National HighwayConverting the Jewargi–Shorapur route into a 4-lane roadAddressing landslide-prone stretches at Shirur Ghat (NH-66), Shiradi Ghat (NH-75), and Bargi GhatConstructing a flyover at Jogihalli in Tumakuru districtBuilding a railway overbridge at Gijjalagere Gate (NH-275) in Mandya districtConstructing a ring road (southern bypass) around Mandya cityPreparing a DPR for a bypass to Pandavapura town from km 595.260 on NH-275 via NH-150A
Kumaraswamy also thanked Gadkari for the completion of the
Bengaluru–Mysuru Expressway
and the Bengaluru–Chennai National Highway.
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