Karnataka Pledges 2026 Local Body Polls as Shivakumar Unveils Bengaluru Projects

Overview

• Deputy CM D K Shivakumar said all local body elections will be held in 2026 and opened Congress applications for Greater Bengaluru Authority municipal tickets.
• The 120-km Peripheral Ring Road, billed as the Bengaluru Business Corridor, has been notified with farmer details being collected and funding stated as finalized.
• The land acquisition approach includes creating townships and returning 35% of acquired plots as commercial space with higher compensation for farmers.
• The BDA outlined a 1.5-km cut-and-cover tunnel tying into Mekhri Circle and a planned elevated link from Tumakuru Road to KR Puram to bolster Outer Ring Road connectivity.
• On contested KIADB/NICE parcels, the government said it will seek alternatives or proceed with takeover steps, and it identified a skydeck site cleared by the Airport Authority of India.