Karnataka prepares growth roadmap for BMR, targets USD 420 bn economy
Last Updated:June 17, 2026, 19:15 ISTRepresentational image (Image: News18)Bengaluru, Jun 17 (PTI) Karnataka is preparing a comprehensive economic development plan for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region,. . .
Last Updated:June 17, 2026, 19:15 ISTRepresentational image (Image: News18)Bengaluru, Jun 17 (PTI) Karnataka is preparing a comprehensive economic development plan for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region, targeting an economy of USD 390-420 billion by 2037, officials said on Wednesday. The plan also aims at the creation of 2. 5 to 3 million new jobs by 2037, they said. A high-level Steering Committee meeting, chaired by Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on June 16, reviewed a comprehensive roadmap presented by the Institute for Sustainability, Employment and Growth (ISEG) Foundation in this regard, they said. According to a statement, this strategic initiative follows a Statement of Intent (SOI) signed between the Government of Karnataka and the ISEG Foundation, effective May 5, 2026. The agreement was finalised under the chairmanship of the then Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Bengaluru Development, D K Shivakumar, to co-create a comprehensive Regional Economic Development Plan. Spanning an area of 8,000 square kilometres and a population of approximately 1. 5 crore, the BMR currently boasts an economy valued at USD 149 billion, contributing over 43 per cent to Karnataka’s Gross State Domestic Product, it said. Officials noted that the region’s economic indicators heavily outperform both state and national averages. BMR’s per capita GDP stands at approximately USD 9,700, which is nearly 1. 9 times higher than Karnataka’s average (USD 5,000) and about four times higher than India’s national average (USD 2,500). During the 2015–25 decade, BMR recorded a real Gross Value Added Compound Annual Growth Rate of 9. 7 per cent. This outpaced Karnataka’s growth rate of 8. 5 per cent and Hyderabad’s growth rate of 7. 5 per cent, cementing Bengaluru’s position as India’s fastest-growing metropolitan economy, they said. The region currently supports nearly 38 lakh jobs, accounting for about 16 per cent of the total employment in the state, officials said. It said the formulation of the Economic Master Plan is progressing on schedule. To ensure balanced urbanisation and relieve pressure on Bengaluru’s core areas, the government is planning new ‘Growth Centres’ both within and outside the current city boundaries. The proposed growth centres are expected to integrate industrial, IT and biotechnology, research, manufacturing, logistics, residential and commercial activities, effectively spreading economic wealth to surrounding regions. To improve connectivity and address traffic congestion, the roadmap proposes a 287-km circular rail network and an additional 400–500 km of metro network, the statement said. It also includes 100–200 km of greenfield metro corridors and extensions, four new Regional Rapid Transit System corridors, expansion of the suburban rail network, and upgrades to road, multimodal transport, and airport infrastructure. The government is actively encouraging participation from domestic and international investors to realise these growth centres, they said. As part of the rollout plan, the government has structured an ‘Ideas Workshop’ to be held in late June, followed by a second workshop in July. The steering committee is scheduled to meet again on July 28 and August 25 before the final master plan is presented to the CM and deputy CM in the first week of September. PTI AMP SSK(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed -PTI)News18 NewsletterHandpicked stories, in your inboxA newsletter with the best of our journalismFirst Published:June 17, 2026, 19:15 ISTNewsagency-feedsKarnataka prepares growth roadmap for BMR, targets USD 420 bn economyDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to ourTerms of UseandPrivacy Policy. Loading comments. . . Read More