Karnataka Cabinet clears key bills; Major Bengaluru infrastructure projects approved

Cabinet meeting chaired by the Chief Minister approves eight major Bills and several development projects, including Hebbal–Mekhri Circle twin tunnel and new elevated corridors.

The Karnataka Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, met on Thursday and cleared a wide range of legislative and development proposals ahead of the winter session of the State Legislature. A total of eight Bills were approved, along with several major public infrastructure, health, education, and regional development projects.

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Among the key decisions, the Cabinet gave its approval to the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention Bill, 2025. The Bill defines hate speech clearly and includes ideological and religious hate as part of the prohibited categories. The Cabinet also cleared amendments to the Bayaluseeme Development Board Act, Malenadu Development Board Act, and the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act. Additional approvals were granted to the Ghati Subramanya Development Authority Amendment Bill, Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority Amendment Bill, the Karnataka Private Medical Establishments Amendment Bill, the Karnataka Social Boycott Prohibition Bill, and the Karnataka Prevention of Cattle Slaughter and Preservation (Amendment) Bill, 2025.

In Bengaluru, the Cabinet sanctioned a major mobility upgrade with the approval of a twin tunnel road between Hebbal and Mekhri Circle. Supplementary elevated corridor works were also cleared, with a combined project estimate of ₹2,215 crore. The government has also decided to issue an official notification dropping the earlier plan to acquire 1,777 acres for a Special Economic Zone in Devanahalli.

Several other projects received financial approval, including ₹457 crore for skill-based laboratories in Gadag, Kalaburagi, Davanagere and Kengeri. The Cabinet approved ₹100.70 crore for the Global Investors Meet 2025 and ₹13 crore for computerisation across 5,172 Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies under the PACS initiative.

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Public health infrastructure will also see a boost, with ₹28 crore allocated for new works at the Koppal District Hospital. Additionally, ₹304 crore was sanctioned for constructing dedicated buildings for 19 Morarji Desai Residential Schools. Veterinary initiatives received support as well, including funding for blue tongue disease vaccination for sheep and goats, and ₹27 crore for establishing new facilities at the Veterinary University campus in Hebbal.

The Cabinet further endorsed amendments within the Home Department’s service rules and approved updated provisions under the cattle slaughter prevention law.