Karnataka planning transport grids for tier 2 and 3 cities with 25-year development needs in mind: DKS

Karnataka is considering transport grids for tier 2 and 3 cities in the State to meet the developing needs over the next 25 years since foreign companies were interested in investing in these cities, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Sunday.

Companies interested

“Companies have evinced interest in investing in these cities. They have infrastructure in these towns. The government is looking at development transport grids, which will include ring roads in all cities, keeping in mind the growth projects for the next 25 years. Planning is necessary since time is of the essence,” he told presspersons here after his return from Davos that hosted the World Economic Forum.

He pointed out that experts were predicting 70% urbanisation over the next 25 years. “It is in this backdrop that we are looking at transport grids,” he said.

Though 45 companies expressed interest to invest in Karnataka, he said, “We decided not to sign agreements with investors at Davos since we would want them to get first-hand information on availability of human resources, infrastructure, weather and others. They are aware that South Indian States offer excellent business environment after China.”  

Tunnel projects

Regarding the tunnel project, Mr. Shivakumar said, “I discussed the tunnel project with Maharashtra Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) since they are building a lot of tunnels. They have given suggestions on parking facilities near the tunnels. We would like to visit some tunnel projects in Maharashtra.” The world is looking at India through Bengaluru which has 450 Fortune 500 companies, he added.  

Pointing out at the agreement of Maharashtra Government with JICA for their tunnel projects, he said that he will travel to Japan to discuss Karnataka’s tunnel project too.

For Bengaluru

The Deputy Chief Minister, who holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio, said that Karnataka Goverbment will be investing ₹ 2.5 lakh crore over the next five years to develop basic infrastructure in Bengaluru that would include tunnel roads, elevated corridors and buffer roads among other things.

EoM