'Karnataka can become world's largest tech cluster'

Karnataka ICT group chairman TV Mohandas Pai on Tuesday said the state had the potential to become world’s largest technology cluster in the next five years provided the government implemented infrastructure projects here and other emerging cities.

“Karnataka could be world’s largest technology cluster in next five years provided the government especially implements infrastructure projects in Bangalore and other emerging cities like Mangalore, Mysore and Hubli-Dharwad,” Pai said after presenting the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) Group Report to chief minister Jagadish Shettar.

Shettar said necessary budgetary provisions would be made in phases over a period of four to five years. Short-term initiatives would be implemented immediately and continue in the 2013-14 financial year, he said. Pai said the government should address the issue of infrastructure development here as it contributed 35 per cent to India’s ICT revenues.

He recommended the government to develop ‘Satellite Smart Cities’ at Hoskote, Devanahalli, Bidadi and Electronics City in PPP model and extend ‘Bangalore Capital Region’. Similar smart cities should be developed around emerging cities like Mangalore, Mysore and Hubli-Dharwad, Pai said.

The government should infuse Rs 1,000 crore towards each of the emerging cities development and rest through individual connectivity funds mobilisation, Pai said. He said the government should clear all pending IT projects within next 90 days.

For improving the quality of school education, Pai said the government should create a fully wired state by providing free wi-fi in Bangalore and setting up Karnataka school and college networks.