Karnataka’s cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to rename Bengaluru City University after former prime minister Manmohan Singh as a tribute to the Congress leader, marking his contributions to the state capital.
In June 2006, Singh laid the foundation for Bengaluru’s critical infrastructure projects ranging from elevated corridors to Bengaluru Metro. On June 24, 2006, the former prime minister laid the foundation for Bangalore-Electronic City elevated Highway, a key link to the IT and manufacturing hub.
Besides, under his administration, Singh also undertook key road infrastructure projects including the six-laning of the Bengaluru-Nelamangala stretch of NH4, including a 4-km-long elevated corridor.
On June 24, 2006, Singh also laid the foundation stone for Bengaluru Metro, which was being built at a cost of Rs 6,000 crore jointly by the state and central governments. On November 20, 2011, he launched Namma Metro’s inaugural stretch, from Baiayapanahalii to MG Road.
As the prime minister, Singh also inaugurated Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on May 24, 2008, which is now the third busiest airport in India, managing passenger traffic of over 37 million in the financial year 2023–24.
Interestingly in 2017, Singh was invited by the Karnataka government to teach the first batch of students enrolled at the newly built Dr BR Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE). Further, Singh also addressed the students at IIM B during their 16th convocation in the 1990s.
Phase-2 development of Bangalore City University’s North Campus
Separately, the cabinet also granted administrative approval for the second phase of development works on the new North Campus of Bangalore University, located in Amaravati village, Sidlaghatta taluk, Chikkaballapur district. The estimated cost of this phase is Rs123.50 crore.
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The North Campus has already been established in Amaravati village, with the first phase covering the construction of key infrastructure such as the administrative block, library, the vice-chancellor’s residence, and hostels for boys and girls, at a cost of Rs 91 crore. The revised estimate of Rs 123.50 crore for the second phase was prepared during the financial year 2023–24.
The required funds will be sourced from the university’s internal resources, and the grant will be provided by the internal revenue department.
The cabinet also decided that the Karnataka Housing Board would execute the development work. Additionally, the vice-chancellor of Bangalore City University (North Campus) has been authorised to implement the project with due approval from the competent authority.