Bengaluru Party Alleges Misuse of ₹2,000 Crore Road Funds, Files Complaints
The Bengaluru NavaNirmana Party (BNP) has filed two complaints before the Karnataka Lokayukta, alleging irregularities in the allocation and utilisation of the state government's ₹2,000 crore road infrastructure package for Bengaluru. The complaints were submitted on Thursday.
According to the BNP, funds earmarked for road development were allegedly diverted to unrelated projects such as construction of MLA offices, installation of name boards, and multi-purpose buildings. The party contends that these expenditures have no connection to road infrastructure.
The complaints arise from the party's analysis of fund allocation across the city's 28 Assembly constituencies. The BNP has called for a comprehensive audit of the entire package and has demanded a review of what it describes as unequal distribution of funds.
Srikanth Narasimhan, founder and general secretary of the BNP, stated: “Large sums from the ₹2,000 crore package meant for road development have been channelled into projects that have nothing to do with road safety, while citizens continue to deal with potholes, waterlogging and deteriorating roads.”
The party alleged that the allocation across constituencies was made without any publicly disclosed criteria. It claimed that constituencies represented by the ruling Congress party received a disproportionately higher share compared to those held by opposition parties.
According to the complaints, more than 30% of the ₹2,000 crore action plan, amounting to ₹662 crore, comprises projects with substantial non-road components. Of this, approximately ₹274 crore has been allocated to 60 standalone projects that are entirely unrelated to road infrastructure, the BNP claimed.
Responding to earlier criticism over the distribution of funds, Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda had defended the arrangement, arguing that Congress-held constituencies were neglected during the previous BJP tenure and are now receiving funds to bridge the deficit gap. The minister's statement provides context to the government's position on the matter.
The Lokayukta is yet to announce its course of action on the complaints. The BNP has urged the anti-corruption body to investigate the allegations and ensure that funds meant for road development are used appropriately.
