‘Land availability not a determining factor for industries’: State Minister M B Patil

BENGALURU: Amid Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh’s pitch to shift the aerospace park from Karnataka, M B Patil, Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, asserted on Wednesday that the state government would not allow any industry to exit due to a lack of land.

Addressing media queries at the KPCC office, Patil said that the proposed land acquisition at Devanahalli for the proposed Aerospace and Defence Park has been dropped, taking into account the interests of farmers.

“Karnataka is a major contributor to the country’s aerospace and defence sector, accounting for 65% of the national share. This is recognised as the third-best ecosystem globally. Land availability alone is not the determining factor for industries; a robust ecosystem plays a far more crucial role,” he pointed out

Referring to Nara Lokesh’s post on ‘X’ inviting aerospace industries to Andhra Pradesh, Patil said he had responded with a befitting reply.

“Karnataka has immense potential and I am an able minister. We have sufficient land not only for aerospace and defence, but also for AI, deep tech, IT and other industries. We will not let even a single industrialist leave the state due to the non-availability of land,” he emphasised.

“To facilitate industries, we go beyond land allocation. We also ensure water, power, and other essential infrastructure. We have already prepared an integrated plan worth Rs 3,600 crore to guarantee water supply to industrial areas across the state,” Patil said.

Commenting on state BJP president Vijayendra’s remarks regarding the dropping of land acquisition at Devanahalli, Patil said, “Now Vijayendra is supporting industrialists. Had the government decided to go ahead with land acquisition, he would have sided with the farmers. Whatever interpretation the opposition gives, the state’s interest remains my top priority.”

He added that he had briefed AICC General Secretary Surjewala on the progress made by the Industries Department and the decision related to Devanahalli land acquisition. “He is satisfied with the progress achieved so far,” Patil noted.

This comes after Nara Lokesh made a pitch to the Aerospace industry to shift the project to Andhra Pradesh, following the Karnataka government’s withdrawal of the plan to acquire land for an aerospace park in Bengaluru.

Pitching to the Aerospace industry, Lokesh said that Andhra Pradesh has an attractive aerospace policy with “best-in-class incentives” and over “8000 acres of ready-to-use land.” (ANI)