Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday announced a series of key decisions taken by the state Cabinet, including the construction of a dedicated Karnataka Bhavan in New Delhi for civil services aspirants, expansion of healthcare infrastructure, and the procurement of hundreds of new buses for state transport corporations.
Addressing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, Shivakumar said the government had approved the construction of Karnataka Bhavan-4 in New Delhi at an estimated cost of Rs 80 crore.
The proposed facility will cater exclusively to students preparing for competitive examinations such as the IAS, IFS, IRS and other central services. It will provide accommodation and study facilities, with half of the seats reserved for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates, while the remaining capacity will be available to students from other categories.
The Cabinet also cleared plans to restructure Karnataka’s administrative presence in the national capital. According to Shivakumar, a revamped Resident Commissioner’s Office will monitor central government projects and schemes, track benefits secured by other states, and strengthen Karnataka’s engagement with the Union government.
The state is also considering the appointment of retired IAS, IPS and IRS officers in Delhi and plans to establish a dedicated legal cell to coordinate Supreme Court cases and other important litigation involving Karnataka.
Healthcare Expansion
The Cabinet approved several healthcare initiatives, including a 200-bed super-speciality hospital within the campus of the Yadgir Institute of Medical Sciences, with administrative approval for Rs 100 crore.
It also sanctioned around Rs 18 crore for six infrastructure projects at the Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences and approved Rs 60 crore for equipment upgrades and facility improvements at the Government Medical College and Research Hospital, Bengaluru.
Transport Sector Boost
In a move aimed at strengthening public transport, the Cabinet approved the purchase of 620 new buses worth approximately Rs 235 crore.
Of these, 400 BS-VI buses will be added to the fleet of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, while 220 buses will be allocated to the North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation.
The government also sanctioned Rs 112 crore for the development of 11 electric bus depots under KSRTC, NWKRTC and KKRTC as part of a Centre-supported initiative.
Rural Exemptions and Other Decisions
The Cabinet granted regulatory exemptions for silk-rearing units, cattle sheds and poultry farms located in rural areas. However, the relaxation will not extend to urban regions, including Bengaluru.
On the issue of a possible revision in bus fares, Shivakumar said the government was studying a proposal submitted by the Transport Department. He noted that rising fuel costs and a significant difference in diesel procurement prices between private operators and state transport corporations had created financial pressure on public transport undertakings.
The Cabinet also approved an urban development project in Kalasapura village of Gadag, estimated to cost around Rs 20 crore, under a cost-sharing arrangement between the state and local authorities.
Responding to concerns over the proposed Bidadi township project near Bengaluru and opposition from farmers, Shivakumar said the initiative was a continuation of decisions taken by previous governments. He maintained that land acquisition would be carried out in accordance with legal procedures and asserted that the compensation package being offered was among the most attractive in the state.