In a significant boost for North Karnataka, the Cabinet has approved a Rs 3,500-crore development package aimed at addressing long-standing regional demands.

A large portion of the funding, Rs 1,503 crore, will go towards irrigation projects, highlighting the government's focus on strengthening the agrarian economy of the drought-prone region. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is expected to announce the package in the Assembly on Friday. The Cabinet also approved a Bill on judicial reforms at the district level, although the issue of internal reservation in promotions was deferred. Additionally, three packages for transporting and processing construction material under a public-private partnership (PPP) model within the Greater Bengaluru jurisdiction were approved, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,715 crore.

In a major infrastructure development, the Cabinet also greenlit the long-awaited elevated corridor project in Belagavi, designed to alleviate chronic traffic congestion. The Rs 4,500 crore project will span 3.6 km and improve connectivity across key city junctions.