Expert panel to be formed to prepare blueprint for Bengaluru's development: K'taka Deputy CM DKShi
Bengaluru, Jun 17: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said an expert committee would be constituted to prepare a master plan or a blueprint for comprehensive development of Bengaluru city in six months.
Construction of "tunnel roads" in the city and development of satellite towns were among the suggestions that came across as Shivakumar, who is also in-charge for Bengaluru Development, held a meeting with leaders from various fields regarding the development of the state capital, under the title 'Brand Bengaluru'.
"After rounds of consultations, we will constitute a committee of government officials and those willing to contribute from the private, to prepare a blueprint, a master plan for Bengaluru in six months," Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters here after the meeting, he said many among those who attended the meeting were ready to contribute both in terms of ideas and financially, or were willing to take up projects like development of lakes among others.
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Stating that he will hold discussions with officials regarding what transpired in the meeting and come out with a time-bound programme, the Deputy CM said another round of meetings will be held next week where the opinions of people from various fields will be heard.
A website will also be launched and the opinions from the public will be collected, he said, adding, the process of making a grand plan for the comprehensive development of Bengaluru will be launched after that.
Forty-two leaders from various fields including industrialists, information technology, biotechnology, education sector, real estate, entrepreneurs, among others participated in the meeting.
Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman and MD of Prestige Group Irfan Razack, co-founder of Zerodha Nikhil Kamath, BJP MP from Bangalore North and former chief minister D V Sadananda Gowda, were among those present at the meeting.
According to Shivakumar, many issues including high traffic corridors, extending metro rail service, reduction of traffic congestion especially at high density traffic junctions in the city, solving the problem of waste management, purification and reuse of sewage water for industries and parks, improving slums, road widening, construction of peripheral ring road and elevated roads, were discussed in the meeting.
Some expressed displeasure over the suburban rail project not being initiated, he said, adding suggestions have also been received about completing the pending works of 'NICE Road' and using it as a ring road, time-bound completion of projects, and eliminating corruption.
Noting that suggestions also came regarding construction of tunnel roads crisscrossing the city, Shivakumar said: "Few of those who attended the meeting said -- get people from outside for this (tunnel roads), let them invest and maintain it for about 50 years and then give it back to the state. They said the government should take a bold step in this regard or else it will be a big problem for Bengaluru in the days ahead."
Also there were suggestions on opening certain businesses 24/7, pooling of vehicles, parking issues, among others. Some leaders stressed on the need for developing satellite towns around the city to manage the growing influx of people into Bengaluru.
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Bombay HC issues notice to Maharashtra govt, MLA Murji Patel on Kunal Kamra’s plea to quash FIRs
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the Maharashtra government and Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) MLA Murji Patel in response to a petition filed by comedian Kunal Kamra seeking the quashing of multiple FIRs lodged against him over political remarks made during his stand-up show.
A division bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and SM Modak scheduled the matter for hearing on April 16. “Issue notice to the respondents (police and Patel). They shall take instructions and respond to the plea,” the bench observed.
The first FIR was filed by Murji Patel on March 24 at Khar police station, based on Kamra’s performance of his show ‘Naya Bharat’ at Habitat Studio, Unicontinental Hotel, Khar. Kamra allegedly made comments targeting prominent political figures, industrialists, and central agencies.
Representing Kamra, senior advocate Navroz Seervai informed the court that the Madras High Court had extended the interim transit anticipatory bail granted to the comedian until April 17. Seervai added that Kamra, who has been residing in Tamil Nadu since 2021, had offered thrice in writing to appear before police via video conference due to threats to his safety. However, police insisted on his physical presence.
“This is not a case of murder. It is an FIR stemming from a stand-up comedy show,” Seervai said. “He is ready to cooperate with the investigation but seeks to do so through video conferencing.”
In his petition, Kamra contended that the FIRs violate his constitutional rights, including freedom of speech and expression, and that continuation of the case amounts to criminalising political commentary. He maintained that his comments about the 2022 political developments in Maharashtra, including the Shiv Sena split and Eknath Shinde's appointment as Chief Minister, are matters of public record.
Kamra stated that the script for ‘Naya Bharat’ was written in July 2024 and performed around 60 times between August 2024 and February 2025. A recording was uploaded online in March 2025, after which multiple FIRs were registered.
A zero FIR was initially filed at MIDC police station before being transferred to Khar. Three additional FIRs were lodged on March 28 under similar charges, with further cases registered in Thane and Dombivli.
Following backlash, an online ticketing platform delisted Kamra and removed all associated content on April 5.
The court will hear the case in full on April 16.
