Bengaluru: Despite the Karnataka government’s targeted push to boost industrial growth in Karnataka’s Kalyana and Kittur regions, the state’s investment story continues to centre around Bengaluru and its four neighbouring districts. Data placed before the legislature shows a clear pattern: of the 1,423 projects cleared between 2023-24 and 2025-26 by the State High Level Clearance Committee (SHLCC) and the State Level Single Window Clearance Committee (SLSWCC), more than half are concentrated in just four districts – Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Kolar and Tumakuru.
Together, these projects account for a significant chunk of the proposed Rs 1.87 lakh crore investment cleared during this period, reflecting the enduring pull of the Bengaluru region, despite government efforts to spread industrial growth beyond the capital city.
At the centre of this concentration is Bengaluru Rural, which alone accounts for 509 projects with investment value pegged at Rs 65,203 crore. The district, which has emerged as an industrial extension of the state capital due to land constraints in Bengaluru Urban, is expected to generate around 1.19 lakh jobs from these projects.
Kolar and Tumakuru follow, with 139 and 121 projects respectively, though with comparatively lower investment values. Meanwhile, Bengaluru Urban and Mysuru, despite fewer project approvals – 68 and 71 respectively – have attracted sizeable investments of Rs 18,437 crore and Rs 9,655 crore.
The data also points to a lag between approvals and execution. According to an Indian Express report, of the 1,423 projects cleared, only 26 have been completed so far, while 1,392 are at various stages of implementation. Five projects have been dropped by investors, according to a reply tabled by Industries Minister M B Patil in the Legislative Council.
Officials in the Industries Department admit there is imbalance, but point out the early signs of diversification. “Yet, districts such as Kalaburagi are getting investment due to the concessions offered by the government. Investment proposed in backward districts like Kalaburagi (Rs 7,916 crore) and Vijayapura (Rs 5,385 crore) is encouraging,” an official said.
On the slow pace of project completion, the official pointed to average timelines for large industrial investments. “The implementation percentage will increase in the coming months,” the official added, noting that most projects take between three to five years to materialise.
For now, however, the numbers reinforce a familiar trend: even as Karnataka pushes to rebalance regional development, the gravitational pull of Bengaluru continues to shape where investments land.
