'Whitefield feels like Noida': Assembly discusses migration to Bengaluru

IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge said Bengaluru became an investment destination following three decades of work.

Belagavi: A debate on North Karnataka in the Assembly took a detour to dissect why Bengaluru is a magnet for migrants with IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge saying that software nerve centre Whitefield feels like Noida or Gurugram.

In fact, Bengaluru became the butt of criticism when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad lamented that companies continue to invest in the state capital and not North Karnataka.

Agreeing with his deputy, Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said: "Bengalureans are fed up of industries and the resultant traffic jams. There's also a drinking water problem. Even if they are shoved out, industries want to come to Bengaluru only."

Only 20 per cent of Bengaluru's population are natives of the city, Ashoka said. "There are 60 per cent from other parts of Karnataka and another 20 per cent from other states in India," he added.

Priyank intervened to say that Bengaluru is witnessing the highest migration in the world. "When I go to Whitefield, it feels like Noida or Gurugram," the minister said.

"The highest urbanisation is also happening in Bengaluru. And, people from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar are in Bengaluru. You go to a hotel and you'll find someone from the northeast. People come looking for a better quality of life," he said.

Bellad said the entire IT industry is located in and around Bengaluru. He added that only 15 per cent of 5.85 lakh MSMEs in the state were in North Karnataka.

"Had Electronics City or ITPL come towards Tumakuru, North Karnataka would have benefitted," Bellad said, urging the government to consider setting up Bengaluru's second airport between Tumakuru and Sira. "Then, industries will come up in Chitradurga, Davangere and upwards."

Priyank explained that Bengaluru became an investment destination following three decades of work. "One-third of all tech talent of India is in Karnataka. We have the highest AI skill penetration," he said, adding that mere announcement of an IT Park cannot bring in investments. "We need human resources," he said.

"Out of Rs 4.11 lakh crore IT exports out of Karnataka last year, there was contribution from Davangere, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Belagavi, Hubballi and Vijayapura," he said, explaining that the government is trying to take investments to other cities. "It's inevitable for us to use Bengaluru's name," he said. "But using Bengaluru's name, we send companies to Mangaluru or Dharwad."