27 National Highway projects underway in Karnataka with outlay of Rs 31,749 crore
Udupi: As many as 27 National Highway (NH) projects are currently in progress across Karnataka, with a total sanctioned outlay of Rs 31,749 crore. This was revealed by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in a written reply to Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Kota Srinivas Poojary in the Lok Sabha, as reported by The New Indian Express on Tuesday.
Poojary had sought detailed information regarding the status of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) projects in Karnataka, including updates on project timelines, sanctioned budgets, current progress, and expenditure incurred.
In response, the ministry stated that feasibility studies and Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) form the basis for investment decisions, which are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
According to the ministry’s data, the 27 ongoing NHAI projects in Karnataka span a combined length of 1,151 km, of which 537 km have been completed. The total expenditure incurred so far amounts to Rs 14,455 crore.
Among the prominent initiatives, six-laning work on the Nelamangala-Tumakuru section (NH 48), sanctioned at Rs 2,032 crore has seen just 10.3 km completed out of 44.73 km.
Another delayed project is the construction of a six-lane bridge across the Phalguni River near Kulur on NH-66 in Mangaluru. While Rs 27 crore has already been spent on foundational works, overall progress remains limited. The bridge's revised completion deadline is now set for December 31, 2025.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
