Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday criticised the Union government for allegedly failing to honour its commitment to share 50% of the costs for the state’s metro projects. Speaking in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inauguration of the Yellow Line of Namma Metro in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah claimed the state government was bearing 87.37% of the total expenditure.
“The metro project is funded by both the Union and state governments. The state government has provided ₹25,387 crore for phases 1, 2, 2A, and 3, along with an additional ₹3,987 crore as financial assistance. The Union government has only contributed ₹7,468.86 crore out of the ₹59,139 crore needed,” Siddaramaiah said.
He added that under the agreed 50:50 funding model, both governments were to bear equal costs. “However, apart from equity funds, the state government and the Metro must repay the remaining loan amounts with interest. There’s a burden of 87.37% on the state government,” he stated.
Highlighting the Yellow Line’s significance, Siddaramaiah said its opening has made Bengaluru’s metro network the longest in South India, covering 96.1 km. The line is expected to serve 3.5 lakh commuters daily, easing congestion around Central Silk Board and the Jayadeva Institute of Cardiology.
He also noted ongoing work on the 58-km Blue Line connecting the Outer Ring Road (ORR) to Kempegowda International Airport, scheduled for completion by December 2027 at a cost of ₹15,131 crore.
Siddaramaiah underscored Bengaluru’s economic importance, saying the city accounts for a large share of Karnataka’s 35–40% contribution to India’s IT exports and over 40% of the country’s electronics and R&D exports.
