Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at the India Today Environment Conclave 2025, emphasised the urgent need for sustainable urban development and environmental conservation in Bengaluru. Reflecting on the city’s transformation over the years, he acknowledged the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation but asserted that Bengaluru remains better than many other cities in terms of climate and culture.
Recalling his tenure as Karnataka’s Urban Development Minister two decades ago, Shivakumar noted that Bengaluru’s population had doubled from 70 lakh to 1.4 crore. He pointed out that the city’s importance as an IT hub and education centre has made it a focal point for national and global attention. However, this growth has come with issues such as traffic congestion, water scarcity, and waste management.
“When I was in Delhi recently, I saw that traffic there is no better than in Bengaluru,” he remarked, adding that Karnataka has led the way in renewable energy, with 60-70 per cent of its finances coming from the sector. He highlighted his past work in the power sector, stating that Delhi had been surprised by Karnataka’s success in harnessing solar energy.
He lamented the declining green cover in Bengaluru, contrasting it with the past when people kept money plants in glass for greenery. “Now, we are using artificial plants. Spaces have shrunk, buildings have gone taller, and we cannot bring more water. Only if we create a green environment can we ensure water availability,” he said.
Addressing the conclave’s experts, Shivakumar stressed the importance of balancing ecology, wildlife conservation, and economic development. “A lot of suggestions can be given, but implementation is key. I cannot change Bengaluru overnight. It is not well planned like Delhi, Chandigarh or Chennai, it is an old city with narrow roads. Kempegowda had a grand vision, but in the last one and a half years, I have not been able to bring many projects to the ground,” he admitted.
The Deputy Chief Minister outlined his ambitious plans to tackle the city’s pressing problems. He revealed efforts to bring an additional 24 TMC of water from Yettinahole and noted that 6 TMC had already been added to Bengaluru’s supply. He also spoke about the need for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding to improve education infrastructure, suggesting that Rs 8,000 crore collected in Bengaluru be used to establish 2,000 schools at the panchayat level.
Shivakumar also underscored Bengaluru’s water crisis, revealing that 7,000 borewells had dried up last year, with private suppliers exploiting the situation by charging exorbitant rates.
“Nature is important, and I request all of you to advise us professionally,” he urged the gathering.
Concluding his address, Shivakumar referenced Bengaluru’s historical and political legacy, noting that figures like Kempegowda, Kengal Hanumanthaiah, and SM Krishna had shaped the city. “I have to contribute too,” he declared. He requested a compilation of the conclave’s discussions and recommendations, emphasising the need for concrete policy action to protect the environment and secure Bengaluru’s future.