CM wants Tier 2 and 3 Cities Grow, But where is the growth backbone - Transportation Infrastructure?

Source - New Indian Express

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Thursday asked industry members in the state to invest in tier II and tier III cities, besides Bangalore and especially in North Karnataka.

“Industries must be shifted to smaller cities to ensure uniform progress,” he said at the centenary celebrations of Department of Industry and Commerce here.

Mr. Cheif Minister, Who will oppose the state governments wish to develop cities like Mysore, Dharwar, Belgaum, Bellary, Bidar, Raichur, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Davangere, Shimoga, Chitradurga, Udipi, Karwar, Kolar, Mandya etc? None will oppose. Rather everybody will support you and your government plans for spraeding the industry and commerce in these cities.

Mr. CM, have ever given a thought to why is that everybody would like to flock to big places Like Bangalore, Chenna, Delhi? Now even these places have lost their charm and attraction. Reason, in past, every govt, has refused to infuse the necessary infrastructure that could have served as backbone to the establishment of industries and commerce.

Mr. CM, if industry has to come to Raichur, Gulbarga or any other city other than Bangalore, it will look for decent supporting infrastructure -

• Reliable public transport for workers to commute from home to workplace
• Good network of Roads and Trains for transporting goods
• Availability of sufficient power
• Educational institutes
• Health Care Centers
• Sports and Recreational centers
• Civic Amenities

Mr. CM, even today still many of these tier 2 and 3 cities lacks railway connectivity? Many lack a good hospital that can treat people with serious illness like heart surgeries, Dialysis, Cancer, etc. Many lack good elementary, middle and high school level schools. Many cities lack decent sports and recreational facilities.

If this is the state of Tier2 and Tier3 cities, one can imagine the state of villages that surrounds these cities, which will feed the labor to industry and business houses if they come?

Mr. CM, though the term of your Govt has almost ended, you and your party can at least promise for building the backbone in these cities. Once you facilitate building the decent roads, hospitals, schools/colleges, availability of power, trade and commerce will follow, without even you inviting them.

Mr, CM, first plan to develop the necessary growth backbone - Build Roads, Railway lines. Industry will come calling.