Does Any City in India Compare to Bengaluru's Infrastructure?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Bengaluru's infrastructure is unmatched in India.
- Major companies are considering relocation to Andhra Pradesh for incentives.
- The city's contribution to national tax revenue is significant.
- Foreign investments are increasingly flowing into Bengaluru.
- Healthy competition between states can drive national growth.
Bengaluru, Oct 15 (NationPress) In light of Google establishing its AI hub in Andhra Pradesh, the Congress-led administration in Karnataka remarked on Wednesday that if the Telugu state provides additional incentives, companies are free to relocate, and they will gain valuable insights from that experience.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, also the Minister for Bengaluru Development, addressed the media at Vidhana Soudha on Wednesday.
He stated, “Should we discourage those heading to Andhra? If they choose to go for better incentives, then let them. They will also learn from their experiences.”
“In terms of infrastructure, human resources, innovation, and research, no city in India can match Bengaluru. Others mention Bengaluru merely to enhance their own image,” Shivakumar countered, responding to Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh.
Regarding Lokesh’s comments, the Deputy CM added, “Whether it’s Nara Lokesh or anyone else, I have no intention of engaging with their remarks. Bengaluru is home to 2.5 million IT professionals and 200,000 foreigners. The city’s contribution to India’s economic growth is substantial, accounting for approximately 40% of the Centre’s tax revenue. They discuss Bengaluru to promote their own interests. Let them pursue their agenda. Even with central assistance, Bengaluru remains unmatched.”
“We are aware of the interest from numerous foreign leaders. I am collaborating with the IT and Large Industries Ministers. Foreign companies, which previously operated from leased spaces in Bengaluru, are now purchasing property here for their own campuses, reflecting Bengaluru’s robust appeal,” he mentioned.
When questioned about Karnataka allegedly losing over ₹1 lakh crore in investments, Shivakumar responded: “Foreign delegations keep meeting with me, and Ministers Priyank Kharge and M.B. Patil are continuously engaging with them. On October 12, a delegation from Singapore will visit Bengaluru. Numerous private universities and institutions are establishing their campuses here. No one is abandoning Bengaluru. We don’t need to promote ourselves with promises of major concessions; the facilities here naturally attract investors.”
Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh remarked, “If the Karnataka government is inefficient, what can I do? Their own industrialists claim that the infrastructure is poor and that there are power outages. They need to address these issues first.”
Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s leadership, branding it a “double engine bullet train government” with a clear vision and quick project delivery capabilities. “When states compete, India wins. I am not here for a Twitter (X) spat,” he asserted.