NITI Aayog vice-chairperson Ashok Kumar Lahiri has asked Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar to seriously consider developing a “second Bengaluru” within the state to reduce pressure on the capital.

Lahiri made the suggestion during a meeting with Shivakumar, Home Minister Priyank Kharge, Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh and other officials during a presentation on the Viksit Karnataka @2047 vision.

Growing Bengaluru pressure prompts fresh idea

Lahiri praised Karnataka’s development but said the state needed to think about creating another major urban centre to reduce the growing pressure on Bengaluru.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, he said Karnataka had the potential to grow rapidly and stressed that stronger state economies were essential for India’s overall development.

The proposed second Bengaluru could potentially help distribute economic activity, investment, jobs and infrastructure beyond the existing technology hub.

Focus also placed on dryland agriculture

Lahiri also called for a stronger plan to increase agricultural production in Karnataka’s large dryland areas.

He suggested that the state should explore ways to make better use of these regions as it works towards its long-term development goals.

Shivakumar backs comprehensive planning

Shivakumar said the NITI Aayog suggestion would be incorporated into a comprehensive state development plan.

The Chief Minister also sought Karnataka’s fair share of Central funds, including grants announced in earlier Union Budgets. He argued that the state deserved special consideration because of its strong performance in GDP, per-capita income, technology, innovation, foreign investment, exports, startups and IT services.

He further urged that fund allocation should not disadvantage southern states that have successfully implemented population-control measures.

Karnataka targets bigger growth by 2047

During the meeting, officials said Karnataka’s gross state domestic product stood at Rs 32.81 lakh crore in 2025-26, registering 8.1 per cent growth.

The discussions also covered welfare programmes, infrastructure, agriculture, public services, foreign investment and tourism.

The proposal for a second Bengaluru now adds another major idea to Karnataka’s long-term development debate — creating a new growth centre that could share the economic opportunities currently concentrated in the state capital.