Infrastructure of Karnataka | KPSC KAS Preparation: All subjects - KPSC KAS (Karnataka) PDF Download

Introduction

Karnataka's reputation as the Silicon Valley of India is built on a strong knowledge infrastructure, with established tech companies and startups fostering a dynamic ecosystem of academia, research, and practical development.

However, it’s the state’s physical infrastructure that has strengthened both emerging and traditional sectors like heavy engineering, biotechnology, automobiles, and aerospace. Continued innovations in road, air, marine, and rail connectivity have driven Karnataka's economic growth.

The public-private partnership (PPP) model has played a crucial role in upgrading both basic and advanced infrastructure. The government, through the revised Infrastructure Development Policy of 2007, has encouraged increased private sector investment across various channels.

Revamping road connectivity

• Road infrastructure has been a key factor in Karnataka's social and economic progress. High-quality transport connectivity is essential to sustaining Karnataka’s status as an industrial and technology hub. An enhanced road network also links remote areas with urban and suburban regions, improving access to public services like healthcare and education.
• The government has built nearly 30,000 km of state and district highways to connect all parts of Karnataka. From 2013 to 2017, 8,288 km of roads were constructed under the Namma Grama Namma Rasthe scheme.
• Additionally, the Karnataka State Highways Improvement Project (KSHIP) has entered its third phase, focusing on building and upgrading the core road network. KSHIP-III aims to construct 418.5 km of roads at a cost of Rs 5,334.2 crore during 2017-18.
• In urban areas, improved roads have been a central part of the government’s push for sustainable development. Over Rs 115 crore has been allocated to the Tender SURE (Specifications for Urban Roads Execution) project in Bengaluru. This initiative seeks to safely accommodate all road users—pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and street vendors—while promoting the use of public transport.

Aviation infrastructure takes flight

• Karnataka is responsible for producing over a quarter of India’s aircraft and spacecraft, and it hosts research and engineering centers for both Airbus and Boeing.
• Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru is now the third largest in India in terms of passenger traffic. To alleviate congestion and reduce waiting times, a second terminal and runway were planned to be completed by September 2019, enabling the airport to handle around 35 million passengers annually.
• Mangaluru International Airport, an emerging hub for domestic and international travel, has outgrown its current capacity. To address this, the government has proposed acquiring 286 acres of land to expand the state’s second-busiest airport.
• In September 2017, a new and improved Belagavi airport, with a capacity of over 300 passengers, was inaugurated at a cost of Rs 120 crore. Additionally, airstrips are being proposed for Karwar, Madikeri, and Chikkamagaluru.

Mobilizing maritime resources and railways for the future

• Of Karnataka’s 13 ports, New Mangalore Port is the busiest, ranking as the ninth major port in India and handling nearly 20 million tonnes between April and September 2017.
• To enhance marine infrastructure, the government has initiated the Tadadi seaport development project, a PPP venture valued at Rs 2,946 crore, and launched the second phase of the Karwar port under a similar model.
• To boost import and export activities at Karwar, a proposal has been made for a new 1,508-meter dock, capable of accommodating five ships simultaneously.
• Although the Hassan-Bengaluru railway line is complete, the modernization of Karnataka’s railways is just beginning.
• Over the past four years, the government has invested Rs 1,637 crore in constructing rail overbridges and underbridges to ease traffic congestion and reduce pressure on the roads.
• Currently, land is being acquired for the 156 km long Gadag-Vadi line, with the government contributing 50% of the total project cost of Rs 1,922 crore. Additionally, 958 acres of land have been allocated to upgrade railway lines connecting to the Hubballi and Belagavi airports.

Power and connectivity to the people

• Infrastructure development is hindered without essential utilities, which delays public service rollout. In the 2017-18 budget, the government allocated Rs 8,807 crore to enhance power supply across Karnataka, accelerating infrastructure progress.
• By October 2017, Karnataka had an installed power generation capacity of 21,632 MW, with more than half coming from thermal power. Nuclear power contributed 698 MW, while renewable energy provided 7,773 MW.
• The latest budget plans to add 3,975 MW of power in 2017-18, with 2,375 MW coming from renewable sources.
• As of July 2017, Karnataka had over 72 million wireless and landline subscribers. The next goal is to extend wireless internet connectivity to rural areas, a collaborative effort between Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (BSNL) and the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS).
• Improvements in last-mile internet connectivity have been driven by both private and government initiatives. BSNL has invested Rs 392.8 crore to enhance connectivity speeds in gram panchayats through high-speed broadband and fiber-to-home services.