Bengaluru Rural may be renamed Bengaluru North: Report

The Karnataka government is planning to rename Bengaluru Rural district as Bengaluru North to improve its brand image and attract more investments. The proposal is expected to be discussed at the upcoming cabinet meeting in Nandi Hills this week.

Officials say the rural tag gives a misleading impression of the area, which actually houses key infrastructure like Kempegowda International Airport, Devanahalli Business Park, and major industrial hubs such as Foxconn’s iPhone assembly unit. Bengaluru Rural is no longer rural in many areas, a senior official said. Renaming it Bengaluru North would better reflect its economic growth and investment potential.

The district, which includes Devanahalli, Hoskote, Doddaballapur, and Nelamangala taluks, was created in 1986. In 2007, its southern part was carved out to form Ramanagara, which was recently renamed Bengaluru South to strengthen its ties to the capital. The proposed renaming of Bengaluru Rural follows the same logic—to reflect proximity to Bengaluru and highlight development.

Elected representatives from the region are backing the proposal. A local MLA reportedly told a cabinet subcommittee that the rural label creates negative perceptions among global investors, even though the region is home to some of Karnataka’s most ambitious projects.

Additionally, the state is considering renaming Bagepalli in the neighbouring Chikkaballapur district to Bhagyanagar, a long-standing request by locals. If approved, both proposals will be sent to the Union government for final clearance. The cabinet’s decision is expected soon.