The Karnatak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has welcomed the State government’s proposal to formulate a plan for developing a second Bengaluru and called for a comprehensive development strategy for major cities in North Karnataka.

In a press release, KCCI president G.K. Adappagowda said that the growing population, traffic congestion, pressure on infrastructure and concentration of employment opportunities in Bengaluru made it necessary to develop other cities in the State as alternative centres of economic activity.

The Chamber urged the government to accord priority to Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Haveri, and Gadag and to develop them as integrated industrial, commercial, educational, healthcare, IT, transport and logistics centres.

According to Mr. Adappagowda, Hubballi-Dharwad could be developed as a major commercial and industrial gateway to North Karnataka, Belagavi as an industrial and border-trade centre, Haveri as an agriculture-based industrial and food-processing hub, and Gadag as a centre for industry, agriculture, and tourism.

The KCCI is of the opinion that the development of these cities should be supported by modern infrastructure, industrial estates, improved road and railway connectivity, better air links, logistics hubs, and quality education and healthcare facilities. Balanced regional development, it said, would not only ease the pressure on Bengaluru but also generate employment locally, attract investment, and promote trade and commerce, particularly benefiting young people in the region.

The KCCI urged the government to identify major cities in North Karnataka, including Hubballi-Dharwad, Belagavi, Haveri and Gadag, as key second-tier growth centres and formulate dedicated development plans for their speedy implementation, the release said.

“Bengaluru should grow, but every major city in Karnataka should grow as well. The State’s goal should be comprehensive and balanced development,” KCCI honorary secretary Uday Revanakar said in the release.