Bengaluru, Jan 1 (NationPress) D. K. Shivakumar, the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President, announced on Thursday that elections for all local bodies, including the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) municipal corporations, are set to occur this year.

Shivakumar, also serving as the Urban Development Minister, made these remarks to the press following the inauguration of a new flyover near the Hebbal area and another close to his residence in Bengaluru.

Responding to inquiries about his New Year’s resolutions, he remarked, "The year 2026 has commenced on a positive note. In 2025, we achieved good governance. With initiatives like the investors’ meet and the tech summit, we've advanced Karnataka. We have fulfilled our commitments."

He highlighted significant decisions made in the irrigation sector, stating, "The choices made concerning the Upper Krishna Project (UKP), the Tungabhadra project, and the court's ruling on the Mekedatu project will be marked in history. The trust placed in us by the citizens has strengthened our resolve. Our administration is committed to honoring that trust," he noted.

"Throughout my 35 years in politics, I have never organized such extensive events in Bengaluru. Even during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit, he praised Bengaluru. While he did not allocate funding, we are committed to reshaping Bengaluru," he added.

He mentioned that the New Year 2026 was welcomed in Bengaluru with tranquility due to effective security measures.

"I commend Home Minister G. Parameshwara and the entire Home Department for ensuring that no incidents marred the celebrations," he mentioned.

"To facilitate smoother traffic flow to the international airport and northern Bengaluru, we have inaugurated the second loop of the Hebbal flyover today. Residents had expressed their concerns regarding traffic jams near Hebbal. We acted swiftly to resolve the congestion," he explained.

Shivakumar noted that the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA), marking its 50 years of service, has initiated numerous groundbreaking projects.

"We are acquiring land from farmers to develop the 120-km-long Bengaluru Business Corridor (BBC). As compensation, 35% of the land will be returned to farmers as commercial land. We are also offering substantial compensation for the development of small townships. In the near future, a 1.5-km tunnel road will be constructed in this region. Additionally, a flyover will be built near Mekhri Circle in three phases. We are also planning an elevated road from Tumakuru Road to K.R. Puram to establish the Outer Ring Road (ORR)," he detailed.

"We aimed to acquire some land from the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) through the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises (NICE) Road authorities, but they raised objections. NICE believes it holds more authority than the government. Hence, we will seek an alternative path. We have identified different BDA land for the skydeck project. Due to issues concerning aircraft navigation towers, the skydeck will be constructed at an appropriate site," Shivakumar concluded.