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A comprehensive expenditure record presented in the Legislative Council reveals a sharp rise in charter aircraft and helicopter spending for the Karnataka Chief Minister across a thirty month period marked by extensive statewide and inter city travel.
Detailed entries show extensive multi-sector tour programmes.
Bengaluru: Karnataka has recorded more than Rs 47 crore crore in expenditure for Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs chartered aircraft and helicopter travel between May 2023 to 2025. The revelation has drawn significant public attention due to the sheer volume of aerial movement undertaken for official duties during this extended period.
The figures were shared in a written reply after MLC N Ravi Kumar sought clarity on the Chief Ministers air travel expenditure. The Public Works Department through its Buildings Division compiled a meticulous log covering every hired helicopter and fixed wing aircraft used for official tours. The records span travel within Karnataka along with trips to New Delhi Mumbai Chennai Hyderabad and Shirdi for administrative engagements.
During the twenty twenty three to 2024 financial year the state spent more than twelve crore on chartered flights. The logs list multiple journeys between Bengaluru and several districts including Mysuru Hubballi Belagavi and Kalaburagi. These visits were part of regular reviews public programmes and administrative inspections that required rapid inter district connectivity.
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The following year witnessed a steep jump in spending reaching more than 21 crore. Records highlight a packed schedule in early 2024 featuring multi sector tours across Udupi Chitradurga Haveri Bidar and Kalaburagi. Helicopters were widely used for quick district access while fixed wing aircraft facilitated travel to major metropolitan centres such as Chennai and Hyderabad.
A separate annexure covering October and November 2025 shows an added fourteen crore in chartered service costs. Many entries indicate travel by the Chief Minister and accompanying officials reflecting statewide reviews inaugurations and key governmental engagements requiring immediate mobility.
With these figures now officially on record political debate is expected to intensify. The opposition is likely to question rising VIP travel expenses while the ruling side may justify them as essential for effective governance in a diverse and geographically vast state. The disclosure is set to become a focal point in ongoing discussions around public spending.
