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Chief Minister Shivakumar said the state would draw up a formal roadmap in response to NITI Aayog’s suggestion to build a second Bengaluru.
Once known largely as a retirement town, Bengaluru transformed into India’s Silicon Valley over the past three decades as IT firms drew young professionals from across the country. (Photos: PTI)
When a city outgrows its own infrastructure, states often respond by building a satellite city to absorb the overflow — Maharashtra did it with Navi Mumbai, and is now planning a “Third Mumbai.” Karnataka could be next in line, after NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri urged the state government to “seriously consider” developing a second Bengaluru to ease pressure on the capital.
Lahiri made the suggestion at a meeting with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at the CM’s official residence, “Krishna,” where he praised Karnataka’s growth trajectory and said the state “has all the potential to grow rapidly.”
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Why A Second Bengaluru?
Once known largely as a retirement town, Bengaluru transformed into India’s Silicon Valley over the past three decades as IT firms drew young professionals from across the country. The Chief Minister’s office says the city is now home to roughly 26 lakh IT professionals, and the numbers keep climbing as more people relocate there for work.
That growth has come at a cost. Commutes that should take minutes now stretch to an hour for a few kilometres during peak traffic. Monsoon waterlogging and garbage management remain persistent civic headaches. It’s this strain — on roads, housing, water and sanitation — that prompted NITI Aayog’s suggestion of a second urban hub to take some of the load off the city.
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What Shivakumar Said?
The Chief Minister said the state would draw up a formal roadmap in response to NITI Aayog’s suggestion. “A proper plan will be prepared as per NITI Aayog’s expectations,” he said, adding that Karnataka would also study how other states have approached similar projects.
Shivakumar used the meeting to press a broader case for Central support, invoking India’s federal structure. “Only if states develop can the country develop,” he said, while requesting that NITI Aayog help secure Karnataka’s due share of funds, including grants promised in the Union Budget.
Where Will ‘Second Bengaluru’ Come Up?
For now, “second Bengaluru” remains a concept rather than a plan. NITI Aayog has made the recommendation, but the state government has yet to identify a location, timeline, or funding model. Shivakumar’s assurance of a “detailed plan” suggests the proposal will be studied further before any site is finalised.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Developing a new city is intended to ease the growing strain on Bengaluru’s existing infrastructure. Specifically, it is proposed as a way to take some of the load off the capital’s roads, housing, water, and sanitation systems.
Ask News18About the Author
Saurabh Verma is a Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, specializing in Indian politics, national current affairs, and breaking global news. With years of experience tracking power shifts, election strateg…Read More
September 03, 2026, 7:15 PM IST
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