Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 11 (ANI): The Karnataka government is making strides in establishing a defence corridor in the state, with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh responding positively to the proposal.

Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet soon to discuss the project, which will cover two regions: Hubballi-Dharwad-Belgaum-Vijayapura in North Karnataka and Bengaluru Rural-Kolar-Chikkaballapur in South Karnataka.

MB Patil said, 'Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has responded positively to our request to sanction defence corridors for Hubballi-Dharwad-Belgaum-Vijayapura in North Karnataka and Bengaluru Rural-Kolar-Chikkaballapur in South Karnataka. We will also meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard as soon as possible. After that, the matter will come before the Union Cabinet'.

The proposed defence corridor aims to capitalise on the growing demand for deep-tech-based industries like defence, aerospace, and AI.

Patil emphasised that the global political situation and conflicts will drive demand for these industries over the next 20 years, presenting an opportunity for Karnataka to tap into this growth.

In his statement, he said, 'Due to the Israel-Iran, Russia-Ukraine conflict and changes in the global political situation, there will be a demand for deep-tech-based industries like defence industry, aerospace, semiconductor, AI, etc., in the next 20 years. Nvidia has emerged as the first company to register a turnover of 4 trillion dollars in this sector. We need to prepare Karnataka to utilise this as an opportunity'.

The government is working on acquiring land for a high-tech defence and aerospace park near Devanahalli, with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah set to hold a meeting on July 15 to address farmers concerns.

Patil stressed the importance of providing proper compensation to farmers whose land may be acquired for the project.

He added, 'Land is needed for the establishment of a high-tech defence and aerospace park near Devanahalli. However, farmers are expressing opposition to land acquisition. In this regard, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called a meeting for the 15th. Our concern is that if the government acquires any land, proper compensation should be given to the farmers, as they are also our stakeholders.'

Patil will meet the Civil Aviation Minister in Delhi next week to discuss the construction of a second international airport in Bengaluru.

He further said, 'We will go to Delhi next week to meet the Civil Aviation Minister and hold talks regarding the construction of a second international airport in Bengaluru. The minister said that the development of new airports in Noida and Navi Mumbai will be observed in detail, and an appropriate decision will be taken in this regard.'

Patil dismissed speculation about vacancies in the Chief Minister and KPCC president positions, emphasizing that the high command's word is final in the Congress party.

He said, 'Currently, neither the post of Chief Minister nor the post of KPCC president is vacant in the state. Therefore, there is no need for anyone to talk about this. The high command is supreme in the Congress, Patil said, on the same occasion, that his word is final. We have no confusion.'

On Tuesday, responding to a media query at his residence, the minister had said, 'Karnataka contributes 65% to the country's aerospace and defence sector and holds the top rank nationally. Globally, our aerospace-defence ecosystem is ranked third. The state is home to major players such as HAL, Safran, Boeing, Airbus, Collins, and Lockheed Martin. We already have an aerospace park adjacent to the Devanahalli airport. To strengthen our position further, the government now proposes another aerospace and defence park nearby. Farmers who lose their land will be compensated under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013'.

'As the country's leading contributor to the aerospace and defence sector, Karnataka deserves two defence corridors--one in the Kolar-Chikkaballapura region and the other in the Hubballi-Belagavi belt. We need one corridor each in South and North Karnataka. Leading companies such as Aequs already have units in Belagavi,' he noted. (ANI)