Karnataka Industries Minister Patil announces 12 new investment zones in state
Bengaluru, Feb 11 (PTI): Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister M B Patil on Tuesday announced establishing 12 new investment zones across 30,000 acres in the state, alongside over 200 existing industrial areas.
Speaking at the inaugural event of Invest Karnataka-2025 summit here, he said these zones will be equipped with world-class infrastructure with Rs 3,800 crore allocated for providing clean water to industrial areas.
He said the government’s policy is focused on reducing production costs while improving efficiency. To achieve this, a ‘cluster-based policy’ has been adopted, which involves setting up clusters for aerospace and defence, electric vehicle manufacturing, pharmaceutical, deep-tech, and drone parks across the state.
The minister said the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has already developed more than 85,000 acres of industrial land, which is home to 25,000 industries.
"With fierce competition from China and global uncertainties, the state is determined to redefine its industrial landscape. Through digital transformation, eco-friendly initiatives, and a focus on competitiveness, Karnataka is set to become a global manufacturing and innovation hub," Patil remarked.
Technological adoption, investment attraction, and the establishment of competitive industries are seen as key drivers for future economic growth, the minister said.
The government is also implementing digital transformation within the industrial sector. Special attention is being given to eco-friendly initiatives and reducing emissions, he added.
The government is also focusing on supporting small and medium industries, which employ 55 lakh people across eight lakh medium, small and micro units, to drive economic growth and job creation, he added.
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Bengal: On way to PM's rally, 3 mowed down by train amid dense fog
Kolkata (PTI): Three persons died and three others were injured after being hit by a train amid dense fog on Saturday, while travelling to attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally at Taherpur in West Bengal's Nadia district, a senior official said.
The incident occurred between Taherpur and Badkulla railway stations under the Sealdah-Krishnanagar section of Eastern Railway, he said.
Modi, whose helicopter could not land at Taherpur due to dense fog and low visibility, condoled the death of the “BJP workers” in his virtual address from Kolkata airport.
“I have come to know that some BJP workers, while travelling to the rally, lost their lives in a rail accident. My condolences are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Modi said.
The Eastern Railway official told PTI that the incident occurred in the morning when these people, who were travelling by a bus, had stopped the vehicle and walked to the railway tracks to answer nature's call.
"While three persons died on the spot, two others with injuries were admitted to a local hospital," he said.
Another person with minor injuries was released after having been administered first aid, the official said.
The deceased have been identified as Ramprasad Ghosh (74), Shaktipada Sutradhar (55) and Gopinath Das (38).
Meanwhile, Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP from Krishnanagar constituency in Nadia district, alleged that the BJP ignored the incident and went ahead with the rally.
"Terrible tragedy hushed up at altar of @narendramodi ego. @BJP4India supporters brought from far Murshidabad for PM rally in Ranaghat today," she said in a post on X.
"4 went to answer nature's call and were killed by 31814 down local train near Taherpur. BJP ignored, blacked out & went ahead with rally," Moitra claimed.
Reacting to her remarks, the West Bengal BJP, in a post on X, asserted that the TMC "has always been adept at milking tragedies", and was being "disrespectful to the unfortunate victims of this tragedy".
The TMC alleged that BJP leaders have not shown "neither concern nor compassion" over the mishap.
"The loss of three lives in Taherpur should have united everyone in grief. But @BJP4India leaders showed neither concern nor compassion," it said in another post on X.
"At this painful moment, Smt @MamataOfficial and Shri @abhishekaitc put humanity above party lines and stood beside the families of the deceased," the party said.
TMC’s on-ground leaders promptly reached out to the grieving family members, ensuring them of help and assistance, it said.
"While Delhi’s rulers chase Bengal with arrogance, our leadership chose empathy. This is the difference between politics of power and politics of people!" the TMC added.
