Karnataka hosts forum to steer state as premier manufacturing hub | Bengaluru News
Bengaluru: The Karnataka govt has lined up Rs 3,100 crore to provide dedicated water lines to industries in and around Bengaluru. Karnataka industries minister MB Patil said the project is expected to be completed in 18 months, hailing it as a game changer for industries.The govt hosted the first edition of the Uthpadana Manthana, a post-Invest Karnataka 2025 initiative designed to accelerate the state’s vision of becoming India’s premier manufacturing hub. The day-long conclave served as a strategic platform to engage directly with industry leaders and co-create a clear, actionable roadmap for industrial growth.The conclave brought together around 80 senior executives from nearly 60 companies across key sectors. These leaders engaged in focused discussions around six priority areas identified by the govt — aerospace & defence (including space tech and drones), electronics and semiconductors, capital goods and robotics, auto & electric vehicles, technical and textiles, and consumer products such as FMCG, footwear, and toys. Patil said, “The broader objective of Uthpadana Manthana is aligned with the state’s vision to attract Rs 7.5 lakh crore in investments and create 20 lakh jobs over the next five years. The govt is also focused on scaling up merchandise exports by leveraging free trade warehousing zones, export-oriented industrial parks, and faster port access.” Karnataka seeks to establish itself as India’s most competitive ESDM manufacturing destination by attracting OSAT/ATMP players and strengthening the component ecosystem.” Some of the industry leaders who participated in the event include Aravind Melligeri, chairman of Aequs, Niranjan Nayak, MD of Delta Electronics, Avinash Avula, country president of Applied Materials, and Harish Hanagudu, managing director of Krones.During the conclave, sector leaders presented recommendations that were consolidated into a govt action plan for the next 6–9 months. Suggestions included integrating elective courses in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing into academic curricula with a focus on hands-on learning; improving port connectivity to Mangaluru and Chennai from industrial clusters to ease exports; and streamlining customs clearance procedures to enhance ease of doing business.There was also a strong call for the development of integrated industrial townships with plug-and-play infrastructure, last-mile connectivity, and social amenities. The need to simplify approvals for environmental and operational clearances (such as consent for establishment and consent for action), create shared factory spaces for startups, and offer incentives for apprenticeship-driven companies was also emphasised.
