DK Shivakumar Holds All Party Karnataka MPs Meeting in Delhi to Push Pending State Projects

Chief Minister DK Shivakumar convened a meeting of Members of Parliament from all political parties in New Delhi to build a common strategy for securing long pending projects and financial support for Karnataka. The discussion focused on presenting a united voice during the ongoing Parliament session and accelerating approvals from the Central Government for several key proposals affecting the state.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister highlighted 13 major issues awaiting clearance or funding from the Centre. He appealed to MPs across party lines to jointly engage with the respective Union ministries and ensure that important projects for Karnataka move forward without further delay.

Among the major issues discussed was the release of pending grants for gram panchayats under the Fifteenth Finance Commission. The meeting also reviewed the status of Bengaluru’s Satellite Town Ring Road project and sought quicker approval for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project, both considered vital for improving transportation infrastructure in and around the state capital.

The state government also requested support for establishing the proposed Railway Coach Factory in Kolar. Another important demand was the reopening of the HAL Airport in Bengaluru for commercial operations, a move expected to improve regional air connectivity and reduce pressure on the city’s existing airport.

Participants also discussed the need for immediate approval of the Sagarmala 2.0 action plan and renewed Karnataka’s request for setting up an AIIMS institution in Raichur to strengthen healthcare facilities in the region.

Agriculture related concerns were also placed before the MPs. The state sought Central assistance to tackle pest attacks affecting coconut and arecanut plantations, which have caused growing concern among farmers in several districts.

The meeting reviewed the proposal for relocating families residing within Kudremukh National Park under the CAMPA programme. Karnataka has sought an allocation of ₹300 crore for the rehabilitation project, but approval from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change is still pending.

Another important issue involved the transfer of defence land to the state. Karnataka has requested approval from the Ministry of Defence for the transfer of nearly 40 acres in Bengaluru and 668 acres in Belagavi to facilitate public development projects.

The state also urged the Centre to include the Bengaluru Mysuru and Bengaluru Mumbai corridors under the proposed high speed transport network. According to the government, the project would improve connectivity while supporting industrial growth in Kittur Karnataka and Kalyana Karnataka regions and promoting balanced regional development.

Funding for police modernisation also featured prominently in the discussions. Karnataka has requested the release of ₹270.71 crore under the ICJS 2.0 programme and another ₹280 crore under the ASUMP scheme to strengthen policing infrastructure and technology across the state.

The Chief Minister further requested MPs to help secure early approval for several pending state legislations, including amendments related to free and compulsory education, mineral rights and mineral bearing land taxation, drugs and cosmetics, and notaries. He urged them to coordinate with the Union Home Ministry and other concerned departments to speed up the approval process.

After the meeting, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi described the discussions as constructive. He said issues such as tax devolution, infrastructure funding and development projects were taken up in detail. Joshi suggested that such meetings should be held before every Parliament session so that Karnataka can present a coordinated approach before the Centre.

He added that all parties agreed to work together in the interest of the state. According to Joshi, Karnataka has already received increased Central allocations for infrastructure, irrigation and railway projects, and further cooperation would help expedite pending proposals.

Responding to questions on the Mekedatu project, Joshi said he would not make political comments on the issue. He noted that the state government has been asked to submit a revised Detailed Project Report and also encouraged dialogue with the Tamil Nadu government. On the Mahadayi project, he said environmental clearance remains under legal consideration and expressed hope that the matter would be resolved through the appropriate process.

The meeting reflected an effort to build consensus across political parties on issues affecting Karnataka, with leaders emphasizing that cooperation between the state and the Centre is essential for speeding up development projects and securing long pending approvals.