Ambitious blueprint aims to reshape growth, improve mobility, boost sustainability outcomes
BENGALURU
Declaring a bold vision for the city’s future, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said Bengaluru will be transformed into a world-class economic hub through a comprehensive masterplan for the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region (BMR).
The announcement comes as the city prepares for its 500-year milestone in 2037, with the government aiming to strengthen Bengaluru’s global standing alongside major international centres. Shivakumar said the proposed economic masterplan would guide development across nearly 8,000 sq km, focusing on balanced growth, sustainability and improved quality of life.
“This plan will look at the distribution of economic activity across the city and the larger metropolitan region. Bengaluru is already competing with global cities like Tokyo, and we want to build on that momentum,” he said.
The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Institute for Sustainability, Employment and Growth (ISEG) Foundation to prepare the blueprint. The organisation, which has worked with NITI Aayog on similar plans for cities such as Mumbai, Surat and Pune, will submit the report within four months.
Officials said the masterplan will go beyond traditional land-use planning and instead prioritise economic strategy. ISEG Director Shirish Sankhe noted that while Bengaluru has achieved strong economic growth, challenges remain in ensuring inclusivity, sustainability and overall quality of life.
To monitor progress, a high-level steering committee comprising senior government officials will review developments on a monthly basis. Additional Chief Secretary (Urban Development) Tushar Giri Nath said the roadmap would include phased milestones over the next 15 years, with a focus on measurable outcomes.
Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh emphasised that the economic masterplan would be integrated with the city’s land-use strategy. She highlighted mobility and congestion as critical concerns, adding that planning must extend beyond the core city to include surrounding regions and potential satellite towns.
The initiative signals a shift in urban planning priorities, with the government seeking to position Bengaluru as a globally competitive, future-ready metropolis while addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges.
