BENGALURU: In a major policy push aimed at reshaping the future of India’s tech capital, the Karnataka government has unveiled plans to position Bengaluru as a world-class economic hub by 2037, backed by a comprehensive Economic Masterplan for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (BMR).
The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, who said the city is being prepared for its next phase of growth as it approaches its 500-year milestone in 2037. The plan, he noted, will serve as a long-term roadmap for development across nearly 8,000 sq km of the metropolitan region, covering Bengaluru Urban, Rural, and surrounding districts.
At the heart of the initiative is a collaboration between the Karnataka government and the Institute for Sustainability, Employment and Growth (ISEG) Foundation, which has been tasked with drafting the blueprint. The first version of the plan is expected within four months, with continuous monthly reviews conducted by a high-level steering committee of senior officials.
Officials said the masterplan is not limited to traditional urban planning but will instead focus on the distribution of economic activity, infrastructure expansion, sustainability, and quality of life improvements. It will include phased targets for 2027–2037, structured into two five-year implementation cycles.
According to government estimates, the BMR currently contributes approximately $149 billion to India’s GDP (FY25) and accounts for nearly 42% of the country’s software exports. The region is also home to more than 16 million people and is considered one of the fastest-growing urban economic zones in Asia.
Speaking at the announcement, DK Shivakumar said Bengaluru is already competing with global cities like Tokyo, and the objective is to strengthen its position as a leading international growth centre. He emphasized that the new framework will help balance economic expansion with inclusivity and sustainability, two areas he said require urgent attention despite the city’s strong economic performance.
Officials involved in the project explained that the masterplan is distinct from existing land-use planning frameworks. Instead, it will focus on how industries, services, and infrastructure should be strategically distributed across the wider metropolitan region to reduce congestion and improve efficiency.
Senior urban development officials also highlighted that mobility and traffic congestion remain major challenges for Bengaluru. As part of the broader strategy, the plan will consider the development of satellite towns and improved connectivity networks to reduce pressure on the core city.
The government has also stated that the initiative is designed to be data-driven and execution-focused, ensuring that policy decisions are backed by measurable outcomes. Progress will be tracked at regular intervals, with milestone reviews set every five years to evaluate implementation.
ISEG representatives involved in drafting the plan said Bengaluru’s economic strength provides a strong foundation, but pointed out that liveability, urban infrastructure, and inclusivity need significant upgrades to match global standards. The masterplan, they added, aims to integrate these elements into a single long-term vision.
The move comes at a time when Bengaluru continues to expand rapidly as India’s leading technology and innovation hub, hosting hundreds of multinational companies and global capability centres. However, the city has also faced criticism over issues such as congestion, infrastructure strain, and uneven urban development.
With the new masterplan, the Karnataka government hopes to address these concerns while steering Bengaluru toward becoming a fully developed global city by 2037, aligning economic growth with planned urban expansion.
