The Karnataka government has collaborated with the Institute for Sustainable Employment and Growth (ISEG) to create an Economic Master Plan for Bengaluru, aiming to elevate the city to a global standard. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Urban Development Department and the ISEG Director formalized this agreement in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar at Vidhana Soudha. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar emphasized the need for a comprehensive plan as Bengaluru marks 500 years since its establishment, focusing on the years 2032 to 2037 for transformation.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the efforts made over the past three years to enhance Bengaluru’s status as a world-class hub, citing a significant rise in economic prosperity in the region. With a per capita income of $8,850 in the Bengaluru Metropolitan Area, double the state average, the city plays a crucial role in India’s software exports, contributing 42% to the nation’s total. The expansive Bengaluru urban, rural, and southern districts cover over 8,000 square km and house a population of 16 million residents.
Plans for the Economic Master Plan include strategic directions for employment generation, tourism promotion, housing initiatives, and traffic management to address congestion issues in the city. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar expressed the importance of data-driven decision-making in formulating the plan, which involves a substantial investment of nearly Rs 2 lakh crore, being implemented gradually. The involvement of key stakeholders from various sectors such as energy, urban development, IT, and industries is crucial to ensure a comprehensive and inclusive approach to the city’s development.
The ISEG Foundation, known for its work in cities like Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Pune, and Varanasi, has been entrusted with the task of developing the blueprint for Bengaluru’s transformation within four months. Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar urged cooperation from officials and active participation from citizens, developers, industrialists, and educational institutions to collectively shape a visionary Master Plan for Bengaluru’s global competitiveness.
