Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M B Patil, has appealed to the Union government to aid the state in upgrading freight corridors and enhancing logistics networks. He was addressing a roundtable on “Strengthening the Steel Industry in Karnataka” during the 6th edition of India Steel-25, an international conference and exhibition hosted by the Ministry of Steel.
Patil pointed out that Karnataka contributes nearly 15% of India’s total steel output, underlining the state’s ongoing initiatives to promote cluster-led industrial development, integrated economic corridors, and robust logistics support.
Iron ore-rich belts such as Ballari, Chitradurga, and Sandur have turned into investment hotspots, attracting top-tier companies like JSW Steel, Kalyani Steels, Kirloskar Ferrous, and the Baldota Group.
The minister highlighted that key infrastructure projects — including the Hubballi-Ankola railway line and the expansion of National Highways — would significantly strengthen regional connectivity. Furthermore, the upcoming multi-modal logistics hub in Bengaluru is expected to streamline goods movement across critical sectors.
Patil also stressed the pivotal role of major industrial corridors such as the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and the Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC). These corridors, he noted, will link industrial nodes with vital ports, thereby amplifying Karnataka’s economic integration with the rest of the country and accelerating industrial growth.
Patil concluded by urging greater synergy between state and central efforts to unlock Karnataka’s full industrial potential.
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