The Karnataka state government has given a significant boost to Bengaluru's green infrastructure and healthcare sector with major approvals during its cabinet meeting on Friday. The key decisions include the sanction of initial funds for a massive new biodiversity park and the establishment of a fully subsidised organ transplant hospital in collaboration with a major philanthropic foundation.
Bengaluru's New Green Lung: Vishwa Guru Basavanna Biodiversity Park
The cabinet sanctioned an initial amount of Rs 50 crore for the development of a new green space in Madappanahalli, located near Yelahanka in Bengaluru. This park, to be named the Vishwa Guru Basavanna Biodiversity Park, will span a vast 153 acres. Upon completion, it will become the third-largest public park in the city, trailing only the iconic Lalbagh Botanical Garden (240 acres) and Cubbon Park (197 acres).
Forest and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre revealed that the total estimated cost of the project is a substantial Rs 750 crore, and it will be developed over a period of three years. The funding model will rely primarily on contributions from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. "We do not want Bengaluru to become yet another gas chamber," Minister Khandre stated, emphasising the project's importance for the city's air quality.
The project will be executed in three distinct phases, with the first phase commencing immediately using the sanctioned Rs 50 crore. The minister outlined plans to replace the existing non-native acacia and eucalyptus trees with a wide variety of local tree species and saplings. A detailed project report (DPR) will be called for to guide the development.
The park is designed to be a comprehensive biodiversity hub featuring:
- A dedicated space for medicinal plants.
- A bird sanctuary to attract and protect avian life.
- Specialised tree parks.
- Nurseries for local variety saplings.
- An educational section aimed at teaching children about ecology and conservation.
A Fully Subsidised Organ Transplant Hospital for Bengaluru
In a major healthcare initiative, the state government, in partnership with the Azim Premji Foundation, will establish a fully subsidised 1,000-bed organ transplant hospital. Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil announced that the project, with an estimated cost of Rs 1,000 crore, is slated for completion within five years.
The government will provide 10 acres of land for the hospital, which is currently occupied by the Bangalore Institute of Gastroenterology. The bed allocation policy is designed for maximum social impact: 70% of the beds will be free, with priority given to Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, while the remaining 30% will be reserved for patients covered under the Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka (ABARK) insurance scheme.
Minister Patil explained that the strategic decision to locate the hospital near Nimhans is to facilitate the quick harvesting of organs, as the most serious trauma cases are brought to that institute. The Azim Premji Foundation will manage the hospital's operations at an annual cost of approximately Rs 350 crore and will retain the naming rights. The state government will have three representatives on the hospital's board, including the minister, the medical education secretary, and the finance secretary. Talks are also ongoing for the foundation to potentially take over the existing organ transplant facility at the gastroenterology institute.
Other Key Cabinet Decisions
The cabinet also cleared several other important proposals:
Suburban Rail and Business Corridor: Approval was granted for corridors 2 and 4 of the Bengaluru suburban rail project, with an estimated cost of Rs 16,000 crore to be shared equally by the state and central governments. The compensation package for acquiring 948 acres of land for the Bengaluru Business Corridor (BBC) was also cleared.
New CSR Policy: Responding to concerns raised earlier by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar regarding illegal donations through CSR, the cabinet cleared a proposal for a fresh state CSR policy. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister HK Patil stated that the new guidelines will clearly spell out priorities for corporate social responsibility in Karnataka, with the education sector expected to be a key focus. The guidelines are currently being formulated.
Compassionate Appointment: The government approved the appointment of Chaitanya, daughter of late IAS officer Mahantesh Bilagi, as a Group C employee in the secretariat on compassionate grounds. Officer Bilagi had tragically died in a road accident last year.
These sweeping decisions underscore the state government's multi-pronged approach to enhancing urban livability, strengthening public healthcare, and improving infrastructure in Bengaluru and across Karnataka.
