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, as the State prepares a 10-15 year development plan for the region.
Of the land required, about 7,900 acres has already been acquired and acquisition of another 5,600 acres is under way, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said on Monday after a review meeting on the economic development of 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. Mr. Shivakumar directed officials to identify suitable land for both.
The meeting also 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 with NICE Road were among the proposals. A 270-km Regional Rapid Transit System 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 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 focus on treated-water reuse and lake rejuvenation.
The government has also 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.
Published – October 06, 2026 12:26 am IST
