Bengaluru, Oct 16 Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Friday directed officials to expedite work on the state’s ambitious KWIN City project, setting a target for significant progress by February-March next year.
He directed the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) to take up the necessary work immediately on a war footing and ensure round-the-clock operations, while instructing officials to submit progress reports every 15 days.
Patil issued the directions while chairing a review meeting with officials concerned at Khanija Bhavan in Bengaluru.
KWIN City, short for Knowledge, Wellbeing and Innovation City, is a 5,000-acre project coming up between Doddaballapura and Dabaspet near Bengaluru. It is being developed as a global hub for industries, research and higher education.
“KWIN City has been a dream project of the state government. To ensure its timely implementation, the Industries Department must constitute a dedicated team, with all its members working from the project site,” Patil said.
The Large and Medium Industries minister directed officials to resolve issues relating to land acquisition, access roads, drainage and other infrastructure requirements on the spot.
Global companies, universities, law schools, institutions such as the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), research organisations, hospitals, innovation centres and start-ups are expected to invest in KWIN City, according to a statement from the minister’s office.
The facilities in the project area must meet global standards, Patil said, stressing the need for close coordination with the agency designing the project.
Investors must be provided with quality accommodation, a common facility centre, a sports complex, access roads, parks, electricity connections and other essential infrastructure, he said. An additional chief engineer’s post would be created, if necessary, to expedite infrastructure development.
Patil said investors could either construct their own buildings or opt for a build-to-suit model. Some might also enter into agreements with construction companies before submitting their applications.
KIADB must be prepared to accommodate these requirements, he said.
The minister set a target of achieving the maximum possible progress within five months and urged officials to explain the project’s unique advantages to prospective investors and ensure that plots were allotted without delay. Any delay could prompt investors to choose other destinations, he cautioned.
Work on the second phase must begin at the earliest, Patil said, urging officials to work collectively to attract investments worth Rs 50,000 crore to KWIN City.
(PTI News)
