The Chief Minister's Office of Karnataka shared remarks by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at the 517th Kempegowda Jayanti celebrations held on 27 June 2026 at the newly developed Kempegowda Layout by the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), where he announced a series of major infrastructure moves for Bengaluru.

Context

Speaking at the birth anniversary event of Nadaprabhu Kempegowda — the 16th-century chieftain credited with founding Bengaluru — CM Shivakumar framed the occasion not merely as a tribute but as a policy commitment. 'This programme is not just an expression of love for Kempegowda; it is a programme to adopt Kempegowda's principles,' he said, invoking the founder's legacy of building lakes, temples and markets for all communities. He also acknowledged Sri Nirmalananda Swamiji and Sri Nanjavadhuta Swamiji for formally deciding to observe Kempegowda Jayanti on June 27, and thanked Revanna for standing with him at that time.

The Chief Minister called on Bengalureans to remember 'three Ks': Kempegowda, who built Bengaluru; Kengal Hanumanthaiah, who built the Vidhana Soudha; and S.M. Krishna, who elevated the city to international stature. 'We are remembering these three today because Kempegowda, Kengal Hanumanthaiah and Krishna have left behind a legacy,' he said.

Policy Backdrop

The centrepiece announcement was the 123-km Bengaluru Business Corridor road project, for which tenders have already been called. A final notification for the segment connecting Electronic City to the Mysuru Road junction is expected shortly. The CM acknowledged that a previous government had approved the Peripheral Ring Road but never executed it, stating: 'Critics will die, but the work will remain' — signalling his intent to push through the long-stalled project.

On land acquisition, the government has proposed offering affected landowners a choice: 35% commercial land, 40% residential land, or Transferable Development Rights (TDR). Landowners may select whichever option suits them. The CM described the road as existential for the city: 'Without this road, Bengaluru cannot survive.'

Stakeholders and Impact

Bengaluru commuters stand to benefit most directly, as the corridor is designed to ease chronic traffic congestion in one of India's most congested metros. The CM also announced that a short-span tunnel road near Hebbal will begin construction 'within a few days', and that plans for a large tunnel road as part of a broader congestion-relief package are being finalised, along with a dedicated officials' task force.

Landowners along the corridor alignment are the other key stakeholder group. The three-option compensation structure — commercial plot, residential plot, or TDR — is intended to reduce resistance to acquisition and accelerate project timelines. The BDA is the implementing agency for the new Kempegowda Layout where the event was held.

What's Next

The immediate milestones to watch are the final alignment notification for the Electronic City–Mysuru Road segment and the formal groundbreaking of the Hebbal tunnel road. The CM closed with a philosophical note, quoting B.R. Ambedkar — 'One who forgets history cannot create history' — before adding his own: 'Rather than reading and remembering history, I prefer to create it.' A dedicated officials' team is to be constituted to oversee the corridor and tunnel projects, with the government staking its credibility on delivery.