Bengaluru, Ap 15: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to address at least 18 "long-pending" projects that require immediate action from the central government. The memorandum was handed over during PM Modi's visit to Karnataka, where he inaugurated the Sri Guru Bhairavaikya Mandira at Sri Kshetra Adichunchanagiri in Mandya district and participated in the joint release of a book titled Saundarya Lahari and Shiva Mahimna Stotram alongside former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda.
In his letter, CM Siddaramaiah highlighted critical areas in need of federal support, including railways, water supply projects, grants to local bodies, and infrastructure upgrades. He called attention to projects such as the Railway Coach Factory at Kolar, High-Speed Rail Extension to Mysuru, and the Bengaluru Suburban Rail. The memorandum also urges the fast-tracking of the Mekedatu Drinking Water Project, which is crucial for Bengaluru’s water supply.
Siddaramaiah noted, “While Karnataka remains one of the largest contributors to the national exchequer and a leader in economic and social development, several issues need urgent resolution. Addressing these concerns will accelerate the state’s growth and reinforce the principles of cooperative federalism.”
Among the listed demands, the CM emphasized the Rs 6,000 crore owed to Karnataka as a special grant for Bengaluru and the pending Rs 5,495 crore allocated by the 15th Finance Commission to address fiscal imbalances. He also pressed for the immediate appraisal and approval of the Mekedatu Project, which aims to provide 67 TMC of water for Bengaluru, while ensuring regulated releases to Tamil Nadu and generating 400 MW of hydropower.
In addition, Siddaramaiah called for the central government to grant national project status to the Upper Bhadra Project, a vital irrigation initiative for drought-prone regions in central Karnataka. He also pushed for the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Raichur, a socio-economically backward region, which he believes would significantly improve healthcare access and regional development.
Concluding his appeal, the CM expressed hope that the central government would act promptly on these matters, enabling Karnataka to continue playing a transformative role in India’s path to inclusive and sustainable development. The people of Karnataka, he stated, are looking forward to the Union Government’s intervention to resolve these critical issues.
