Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

There is no intention to build a tunnel through Lalbagh, and alternative routes will be examined, CM DK Shivakumar told the media. | Photo Credit: @DKShivakumar/X 1. Why should I make a U-turn?: Karnataka CM D.K. Shivakumar on parks amendment BillDismissing the claim that the government had been forced into a “U-turn” on the Karnataka Government Parks (Preservation) (Amendment) Bill, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday (September 4, 2026) defended the withdrawal, saying the decision was taken to respect public sentiment and allow for a wider discussion on the legislation. “Why should I make a U-turn? The sentiments of the people have been respected. We will release a list of what happened during the tenures of Yediyurappa and Bommai. There should be a discussion on this. There is no intention to build a tunnel through Lalbagh. Alternative routes will be examined,” Mr. Shivakumar, addressing the media here, said. 2. Krishna Byre Gowda orders setting up of joint police-civic teams to monitor footpath encroachmentBengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda has directed officials to set up joint task forces comprising police and civic officials in each city corporation jurisdiction to prevent re-encroachment of footpaths cleared across Bengaluru. The task forces will be responsible for sustained monitoring of cleared footpaths, jointly enforcing rules, and initiating action against repeat encroachers.The Minister has directed Commissioners to issue a joint order or circular institutionalising police-civic enforcement, defining the responsibilities and jurisdictions of officials, and establishing a system for swift action and regular review of re-encroachment cases. He said cleared footpaths should be subjected to regular as well as surprise inspections, with immediate action against fresh encroachments.3. Expired food products seized from Chairman’s Club at Sahakaranagar in Bengaluru, kitchen shut downContinuing its food safety enforcement drive, officials of the Food Safety Wing of the Department of Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) shut down the kitchen of Chairman’s Club at Sahakaranagar, in Dollars Colony in Bengaluru, for allegedly violating food safety standards and hygiene issues.Major violations in the club’s kitchen included storage of 40 kg of expired chilli and improper labelling not in accordance with FSSAI regulations on 5 kg of bread crumbs, among others. They alleged that highly unhygienic conditions were observed in the food preparation and storage areas, and the use or storage of unauthorised and prohibited artificial colours in food products.4. Two professors of NIT-K arrested for swindling ₹13 lakh citing NCC workPolice arrested two professors of the National Institute of Technology (NIT-K), Surathkal for claiming ₹13.51 lakh for travel, accommodation, and daily allowance by submitting forged documents to show that they attended NCC camps and duties. The two professors were Associate NCC officers of the ‘2 Kar Engr Coy NCC (Army Wing)’ at the institute.The duo, P. Sam Johnson of the Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, and H. Shivananda Nayaka of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, were arrested on September 4. In his complaint to Surathkal police, the Director of the institute B. Ravi accused P. Sam Johnson of swindling the government of ₹12.32 lakh and H. Shivananda Nayaka of ₹1.18 lakh.5. 4,500 electric buses to be procured for Bengaluru; ₹2,000 crore loan to upgrade bus infrastructure in StateThe Karnataka government has decided to take a loan of ₹2,000 crore from the Central Government to strengthen public transport infrastructure across the State. The funds will be used to construct new bus depots across the State and upgrade existing bus stations, Transport Minister Byrathi Suresh said.The decision is part of a series of measures aimed at improving public transport services and expanding the State’s bus fleet, Mr Suresh said. The government has secured approval to procure 4,500 e-buses for the BMTC, in what the Transport Minister described as a significant decision for the State’s transport sector. Published - September 04, 2026 07:13 pm IST