Will the Karnataka government secure two defence corridors?

Bengaluru, July 8 (NationPress) Karnataka's Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M. B. Patil, announced on Tuesday that the state government is set to advocate for the establishment of two defence corridors during an upcoming meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Speaking to the media at his residence, Patil highlighted that the Central government had previously overlooked Karnataka while allocating defence corridors to Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

"I have already highlighted this oversight to the Centre. We are demanding two defence corridors - one connecting Kolar and Chikkaballapur, and another linking Hubballi and Belagavi," he stated.

"I will be meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi on Wednesday to advocate for this demand, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also in attendance," Patil added.

"Karnataka is a leader in the defence and aerospace sector. Therefore, it is essential that we secure one defence corridor in both north and south Karnataka," he asserted.

Pointing out that Belagavi hosts numerous major companies, Patil mentioned that while it's acceptable for other states to receive defence corridors, what is rightfully ours should not be denied.

"The Central government has acknowledged its previous error. Rajnath Singh himself recognized this in our earlier discussions. We also addressed this during his visit to the Global Investors Meet in February," he remarked.

In response to actor Prakash Raj's criticism regarding land acquisition by the Karnataka government, Patil emphasized that in a democracy, everyone is entitled to voice their concerns. "I, too, have faced challenges, but perhaps Prakash Raj is unaware of my journey. I transformed the drought-prone Vijayapura district into fertile land through relentless effort," he commented.

He added that Prakash Raj enjoys more influence in Andhra Pradesh than in Karnataka and suggested that he should also protest against land acquisition affecting farmers in other regions.

"We have decided to acquire just 1,282 acres for a high-tech Defence and Aerospace Park. In contrast, Andhra Pradesh has acquired 10,000 acres for the same purpose, offering it at no cost. Furthermore, 45,000 acres have been secured for various industrial initiatives. Reports indicate that land in Visakhapatnam has been allocated to companies like Infosys, Cognizant, and TCS at merely 99 paise per acre. Doesn’t Prakash Raj notice this?" he questioned.

"The Tamil Nadu government is expanding industrial development around Hosur, just 50 km from us, and is planning to build an international airport there, providing land at subsidized rates. If Andhra's plans materialize, it may lure our defence and aerospace companies away, causing significant losses to our state," he warned.

Karnataka is responsible for 65 percent of the nation’s defence and aerospace sector, with its ecosystem ranking third globally. We host major global players like HAL, Safran, Boeing, Airbus, Collins, and Lockheed Martin. The Aerospace Park is adjacent to Devanahalli airport, and the proposed new park will further bolster this ecosystem. Farmers impacted by land acquisition will receive fair compensation under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act," he clarified.

"I hold no personal grudge against Prakash Raj. Even during my tenure as Irrigation Minister, I executed meaningful work. Farmer leader Bayyareddy praised my efforts. Regrettably, he is no longer with us. He was a genuine advocate for farmers. Those opposing us should recognize this," Patil concluded.