Karnataka commits Rs 100 cr for nano park

Facility could come up in Nelamangala on the outskirts of Bangalore

The Karnataka government has committed Rs 100 crore towards its ambitious plan for a nano park. The park will be set up on a 14-acre plot near Nelamangala, on the outskirts of Bangalore.

Earlier, the park was to come up at the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) near Bengaluru International Airport, Devanahalli. But with the ITIR region yet to take shape, the government has decided to set up the park at a different location. The park is aimed at retaining the head start the city has acquired in nanotechnology.

The park, India’s first such park, was announced by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah at the Bangalore India Nano conclave. “Our government proposes to establish a nano park in Bangalore, which will have a nano incubation centre, along with the necessary physical infrastructure and support systems,” he had said.

Secunderabad in Andhra Pradesh is the only other place in the country with a dedicated institute for nanotechnology---the Centre for Knowledge Management of Nano Sciences and Technology. The Centre has estimated the nanoscience market will see business of $20 billion in the coming years.

According to a note on the state IT, BT and S&T department’s website, the proposal includes setting up a nano incubation centre, a science and technology-based business incubator, facilities and services, and a nanotechnology industrial cluster. The incubation centre will back newly-founded small companies and venture companies. It will enable research and development activities and assist young entrepreneurs who have established start-ups to turn these into well-structured enterprises with above-average growth, the note says.

The centre will also offer low-cost business creation space, including rental research and development rooms and workshops. These will be provided high-speed broadband connectivity, other communication facilities and various business support services.