Chief Minister Siddaramaiah unveils designs on making Karnataka a global knowledge, research & innovation hub
(Karnataka launches an audacious attempt to build the most modern, high-tech city with the greatest ease of living to attract the best in global education, industry, IT, MNCs to live in the neighbourhood of the capital city of Bengaluru.)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has a dream to build the biggest and the best capital city in India, that he began to build a few years ago during his previous regime. Today, it is still a work in progress, after he managed to force the centre to help with finances for the project Amaravathi.
But, neighbouring Karnataka, that has been claiming step-motherly treatment from the BJP-led central government has now declared its firm plan to build its most modern city, christined KWIN (Knowledge, Wellbeing, and Innovation) on Thursday. The mega project, to build an entire city close to Bengaluru is aimed at decongesting the capital city and provide world-class infrastructure to global companies wanting to make the city their home to install and run mega projects and global capability centres.
Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah, who unveiled the design of the mega city said, that KWIN City envisions creating a vibrant, green metropolis designed to accommodate five lakh residents. KWIN City will have a solar farm spanning 465 acres, capable of generating 0.69 million MWh to meet its entire energy needs. The city is designed as a futuristic metropolis – to house five lakh people in vibrant, green city with solar farms, plentiful water, and the best infrastructure in its four districts – Knowledge, Health, Innovation, and Research.
The KWIN city is by far one of the most audacious real estate plans of any state government, barring the concept of a state capital Amaravathi in Andhra Pradesh requiring over Rs one Lakh crore. The design was unveiled at the Vidhan Soudha in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, Industries Minister MB Patil, among others. A sprawling 5,800-acre city is all set to redefine the state’s business landscape given the concept and the elements that the state wants to equip the new city with. It will be a city designed for the future with synergy, sustainability, and smart living being the watchword in planning and designing the city and its needs. It will be located between Dabaspet and Doddaballapur, some 60 km from Kempe Gowda Airport, and is just 5 km from the Bengaluru-Pune Greenfield Expressway. For sure, it will have well-planned intra and inter-transport systems, with seamless connectivity through the Bangalore-Hubli-Mumbai Express rail route and proximity to National Highways 44 and 648.
Sharing his vision for the new city, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “KWIN City represents Karnataka’s bold vision for the future—a state-of-the-art hub for knowledge, health, innovation, and research. We are creating an ecosystem that will drive economic growth, attract global talent, and foster ground-breaking advancements. KWIN City is not just a project; it is a testament to our commitment to excellence, sustainability, and the well-being of our citizens. We are proud to lead the way in establishing Karnataka as a global leader in innovation and development.” the CM said.
Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar elaborated on the strategic importance of the city. “KWIN City is a landmark initiative that embodies our vision for the future of Bengaluru and Karnataka. As a dynamic hub for knowledge, health, innovation, and research, KWIN City will enhance the region’s reputation as a global leader in these critical sectors. Strategically located near Bengaluru, KWIN City will benefit from the city’s vibrant ecosystem and, at the same time, will contribute significantly to its development. Together, we are building a brighter, more prosperous future for all.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Industries Minister, MB Patil, Minister for Large & Medium Industries, and Infrastructure said that the new city was a transformative initiative that underscores Karnataka’s commitment to fostering a robust business ecosystem. “With this city, we are setting the stage for unparalleled industrial growth and development. This project will not only attract significant domestic and international investment but also create vast employment opportunities, driving economic prosperity. KWIN City will be a beacon of industrial excellence, showcasing Karnataka’s strategic vision and dedication to becoming a global innovation powerhouse,” he said.
Mirroring the Chief Minister’s big picture development and growth agenda, industries minister Patil said, “Karnataka has long been the intellectual powerhouse of India. With more than 50 universities, 230 engineering colleges, and 1,700 ITIs, our state boasts one of the largest pools of knowledge in the country. These centers of learning are not just institutions; they are catalysts of change that continue to fuel our state’s growth.”
But the “KWIN city aims to attract the top 500 foreign educational institutions to establish campuses in India by leveraging UGC regulations. This initiative will foster academia-industry partnerships, propelling Karnataka to the forefront of global education,” said Patil.
The city will also feature a Life Sciences Park, positioning KWIN City as Asia’s leading academic medical hub and shaping the future of healthcare by attracting top national and international hospitals.
The Innovation District will cater to emerging themes in sunrise sectors such as Life Sciences, Future Mobility, Semiconductors, Advanced Materials, Advanced Manufacturing, Aerospace, Defence, and Space Technology.
“The Research District will focus on enhancing biopharmaceutical and scientific research, incorporating cutting-edge technology to establish clinical trial centers and research labs,” said Patil.
KWIN City will be a blueprint for sustainable urban living.
“With its ‘walk-to-work’ model, residents will enjoy a seamless blend of professional and personal life, significantly reducing their carbon footprint. It will be equipped with modern amenities that reflect the highest standards of living — state-of-the-art infrastructure, green spaces, renewable energy solutions, and digital connectivity that will define future cities,” Patil said.
Located between Dabaspet and Doddaballapur, the city will just be a 45-minute drive away from Bengaluru Airport, 50 km from the city center, and 5 km from the Bengaluru-Pune Greenfield Expressway. It will have meticulously planned intra- and inter-transport systems, reducing congestion, and enhancing convenience, with seamless connectivity through the Bangalore-Hubli-Mumbai Express rail route and proximity to National Highways 44 and 648,” a statement from the industries department said.
Among those who contributed to the strategic vision of the KWIN City is an advisory board comprising Kiran Mazumdar Shaw (Chairperson, Biocon), Dr Devi Shetty (Founder, Narayana Health), Ranch Kimball (Board Trustee, Boston University), Thomas Osha (Executive Vice-President, Wexford Science and Technology), Mohandas Pai (Former CFO and Board Member, Infosys), Nikhil Kamath (Co-Founder, Zerodha), Prashant Prakash (Partner, Accel), Dr Vivek Jawali (Chief Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeon), Stephen S Ekker (Associate Dean of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, UT Austin), and Dominique Rossin (Provost of Ecole Polytechnique, Vice-President for Education at Institut Polytechnique de Paris).
