Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Monday, 9 November 2026, firmly denied any friction with former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, dismissing reports of an internal power struggle within the state's ruling Congress government. Speaking to the media near Mekhri Circle and Town Hall in Bengaluru, Shivakumar also laid out details of an ambitious traffic decongestion plan involving an elevated corridor and a short tunnel road for the city.

No rift, says Shivakumar

'There is neither a big rift nor a small rift between former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and me. Some people are trying to create an atmosphere suggesting there is friction between us,' Shivakumar said. He attributed the perception to detractors and political opponents, adding, 'In politics, there must be detractors and opponents. Only when they are present can people like us engage in clean politics.'

Shivakumar noted that he had recently met Siddaramaiah to discuss matters related to the approaching local body elections and to extend festival greetings. He also addressed remarks made by certain religious figures, saying, 'Some people, including respected seers, are portraying things differently in the media. We have already communicated to them what needed to be conveyed regarding these matters.'

Bengaluru Traffic Plan: Tunnel Roads and Elevated Corridors

Shivakumar outlined a detailed plan to ease Bengaluru's chronic traffic congestion, particularly in the Mekhri Circle and Hebbal areas. 'Whether we build a tunnel road, the opposition objects; whether we construct an elevated corridor, they object. To resolve Bengaluru's traffic congestion, alternative routes must be created,' he said.

The proposed design features a rotary 'circle within a circle' system to segregate traffic flows, with dedicated lanes for vehicles turning left and right. A short tunnel road is being planned separately from the existing elevated corridor, with provisions for vehicles to exit the tunnel and proceed onto the elevated road. The two projects will function independently, according to Shivakumar.

He also disclosed that Defence land near Mekhri Circle has been requested to widen roads in certain parts of the city. 'I have already appealed to the Defence Minister to grant the land located at the corner near Mekhri Circle. If that land is made available, we can bring about a major change in the traffic system there,' he stated.

Key Project Details and Cost

Shivakumar said the surrounding connecting roads development would cost approximately ₹9 crore, with the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) already preparing to undertake the work. The BDA Chairman and traffic police have both conducted site inspections, Shivakumar confirmed.

He emphasised that traffic would not be completely halted during construction. 'Only certain large vehicles and cargo vehicles will be temporarily restricted at specific times. Movement of other vehicles will not be stopped,' he said. Alternative roads are also being developed to minimise public inconvenience.

During a recent aerial inspection by helicopter, Shivakumar observed a large crater near Lalbagh along the tunnel road route, and officials have been directed to prepare an alternative plan to address the geological variation between the rocky section and the tunnel exit point.

Opposition Pushback

Shivakumar took direct aim at critics of the infrastructure projects, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Janata Dal (Secular). 'It seems the opposition party's only job is to oppose. They are unable to tolerate the speed of our government's development work,' he said. He questioned whether the BJP or JD(S) had executed comparable development work during their respective tenures in power.

What Comes Next

With local body elections approaching in Karnataka, the political dynamics between Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah will continue to draw scrutiny. On the infrastructure front, officials have been tasked with assessing high-congestion sections, and final plans for the short tunnel road near Hebbal are yet to be presented publicly. The Defence Ministry's response on land allocation near Mekhri Circle will be a key determinant of how quickly the broader traffic overhaul can proceed.