Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday reviewed a draft Economic Master Plan for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (BMR), which seeks to transform the region into a major growth centre with a USD 400-billion economy and generate 2-2.5 million jobs by 2037, officials said.
Developed in collaboration with the Karnataka government, with the ISEG Foundation serving as the knowledge partner, the plan outlines a strategy focused on attracting private investment, expanding infrastructure, promoting sustainability and enabling planned urban development. Officials said its recommendations will be discussed with various stakeholder departments before a final actionable plan is prepared.
According to a statement from the Chief Minister's Office, the BMR currently has an economy valued at USD 149 billion. The proposed plan aims to more than double its economic size by 2037.
The region spans three districts and has a population of approximately 16 million. It contributes around 40 per cent of Karnataka's Gross State Domestic Product while accounting for about one-fourth of the state's population. Its per capita income is nearly twice the state average, the statement said.
The Economic Master Plan is built around broad principles including attracting private investment on a large scale, using land value systematically to finance development, and embedding inclusivity and sustainability into the region's growth strategy. It identifies five key growth drivers to achieve the 2037 target.
The first priority is to develop the BMR into a global centre for information technology, Global Capability Centres, artificial intelligence and technology start-ups. The plan proposes dedicated IT and GCC hubs, deep-tech sandboxes and a separate AI mission.
The second focus is to establish the region as a global deep-tech manufacturing centre across seven priority sectors. Aerospace and defence, electronics, automotive, and biopharma and medical devices have been identified as leading areas.
The third priority is to position the BMR as a major destination for tertiary healthcare, higher education and premium tourism.
Infrastructure and sustainability form the fourth pillar of the plan. It proposes increasing the share of public transport from the current 35 per cent to 75 per cent by expanding metro, suburban rail and Regional Rapid Transit System corridors. The plan also calls for a second airport, improved ring, radial and chord roads, and a network of multi-modal transport hubs.
For water management, the proposals include expanding supply, increasing the reuse of treated water and improving the distribution system to address the projected gap between demand and availability.
The fifth priority focuses on planned urban development, housing and liveability. It includes proposals for internationally planned cities, services-driven business districts, integrated private townships and transit-oriented development.
The plan also recommends affordable housing and shared rental accommodation for industrial, gig and service workers. A slum rehabilitation programme has been proposed with the goal of making the BMR slum-free, officials said.
The draft will now be discussed with stakeholder departments before further action is taken. Ministers Krishna Byre Gowda and Priyank Kharge, Chief Minister's Political Secretary AS Ponnanna, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and Additional Chief Secretary Tushar Girinath were also present at the review meeting.
The meeting centred on a long-term strategy to expand the BMR's economy, generate employment and strengthen infrastructure and liveability by 2037.
