Karnataka plans nine industrial townships in Bengaluru region, 13,500 acres identified

The Karnataka government plans to set up nine integrated industrial townships in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (BMR), with 13,500 acres identified for the projects, Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said on Monday, October 5, after a review meeting on the economic development of the BMR.

Of the land required, about 7,900 acres has already been acquired and acquisition of another 5,600 acres is under way, Shivakumar said. 

The announcement of these plans is likely to push up anxiety among farmers in Bidadi and other areas surrounding Bengaluru who are already battling the state government over acquisition of their land. 

At the Strategic Senior Advisory Group meeting of the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Economic Development Plan, Shivakumar said comprehensive plans were being prepared to develop areas under the Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA). He said all areas of Bengaluru Urban district would be brought under the jurisdiction of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA).

"The state's economy is set to reach $1 trillion by 2047. A plan has been prepared to reach $400-420 billion by 2037," the Chief Minister said. He added that a blueprint was being readied for a smooth traffic system, housing and industrial development in the BMR.

The plan, prepared by the State government with the ISEG Foundation, identifies technology, high-tech manufacturing, healthcare and education, infrastructure and sustainability, and planned urbanisation and housing as the five areas expected to drive the region's growth.

The government is also looking to develop an AI City on the lines of Singapore's Punggol and an AI university. Shivakumar directed officials to identify suitable land for both.

Shivakumar and Greater Bengaluru Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda stressed the need for a detailed plan to ensure smooth traffic in Bengaluru and its outskirts.

The meeting discussed expanding the metro network by 312 km by 2037 and increasing suburban rail connectivity. A 210-km ring road connecting 10 additional hubs and linking Phase 2 of the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) with NICE Road were among the proposals.

A 270-km Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) connecting Bengaluru with Tumakuru, Mysuru and KGF was also discussed. The government is considering extending the proposed Mumbai-Bengaluru high-speed rail corridor up to Mysuru.

The BMR is projected to require 3,600 million litres of water a day (MLD) by 2037. The government plans to prepare a plan for the region's drinking water and industrial water requirements, with the Chief Minister directing officials to prioritise treated-water reuse and lake rejuvenation.

On housing, the government has proposed constructing 6-6.5 lakh houses, including 40,000-50,000 houses for industrial workers. The plan also proposes mapping the entire road network in Bengaluru Urban district and bringing areas not covered by the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board within its ambit.