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27 December 2010 - 2 January | 2011 | Projects Info


State Feature


Karnataka is rolling out a red carpet for big ticket investments in infrastructure


The Government of Karnataka has drawn up a vision for the development of infrastructure in social and eco- nomic sectors, the Vision 2020. It is desired that the infrastructure development should happen in a manner that is sustainable environmentally while it catalyses the delivery of inclusive development. The key areas of develop- ment identified are Energy, Information and Communication Technology, Roads (rural and Highways), Railways, Ports, Logistics and Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation. Chandrashekhar Modi takes stock of the infrastruc- ture developments in Karnataka.


L


ara Dutta, the leading bollywood star recently announced the foray of a


major Thai real estate developer in the Indian market. The popu-


lar real estate developer, Pruksa Real Estate is eyeing Bengaluru as its destination of choice and has taken the 100 per cent FDI route. “We chose Bengaluru,


because it is the most talked about city in India for its for- ward looking attitude, a great population of various demo- graphics and most importantly


more than half the world trusts Bengaluru for its software,” says Thongma, Founder and CEO, Pruksa Real Estate. Recently Associated


Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) has rated India as most preferred destination among the top 20 states, with the highest share of 9.1 per cent in domestic invest- ment plans in April-September 2010. Karnataka has clocked an year-on-year growth of 73.8 per cent and attracted investments of Rs 3,88,578 crore. Power and services were prominent among the sectors attracting major share investment. “Having invested prudently and heav- ily in this critical driver of our nation’s economy, our state has understood the value of build- ing sustainable infrastructure, ” says B S Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister, Karnataka.


Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) Karnataka’s infrastructure policy—buoyed from a five per cent increase in exports in the face of a recession in 2008-9— stems from its Industrial Policy 2009, which provides incentives and concessions for setting up industries. The infrastructure groundwork includes provid- ing 15,000 MW power. The Infrastructure Development


Department (IDD) is a coordi- nating agency, a single point of liaison for investors for clear- ances and facilitation. “The IDD was carved out from individual departments’ infrastructure facilitation wings so that over- laps could be avoided,” explains KL Lokanatha, Director (tech), PPP Cell, IDD. “By 2007, our policymakers were clear that the private sector brings in efficiencies, managerial, tech- nology, procurement expertise and service delivery leading to better time and cost manage- ment. Our department is now actively involved in PPP proj- ects.” The government invests up to 26 per cent in strategic PPP projects in the 10 identi- fied sectors. Logistics, transpor- tation and urban infrastructure figure among what seem to be thrust sectors from the govern- ment, and with good reason: they figure on top of the minds


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