Hans News Service Bengaluru

Eightleading companies, including Toyota, and research institutions 14 entities in all have entered into agreements for the KWIN City being developed between Doddaballapura and Dabaspet. Some foreign universities have sought buildings tailored to their specific requirements under a ‘build-to-suit’ model. The Government is considering an appropriate model to meet these requirements, Large and Medium Industries Minister MB Patil said on Friday.

The Minister was responding to a starred question raised by nominated member K Shivakumar in the Legislative Council. KWIN City is being developed across 5,000 acres. Development work on the first phase is currently under way, and the tendering process has been completed.

Toyota is establishing a state-of-the-art innovation centre here, which will be of a standard that the company does not even have in its home country, Japan. Global-standard medical institutions, the Indian Institute of Science and a campus of the National Law School of India University will also come up here, he explained.

Imperial College London, ranked second globally; the University of New South Wales in Australia, ranked 19th; the University of Liverpool, ranked 139th; Lancaster University, ranked 164th; La Trobe University, ranked 241st; and Flinders University, ranked 374th, have already signed agreements with the State Government.

Of these, the University of New South Wales and the University of Liverpool have already established campuses at Manyata Business Park in Bengaluru and the Alembic City complex in Whitefield, respectively. The Government wants these institutions to establish campuses in KWIN City as well. Imperial College London will establish an innovation hub here, he said. Some companies and universities are seeking a ‘build-to-suit’ model. The Government is considering constructing buildings tailored to the specific requirements of such institutions, enabling them to operate from these premises for the next 30–40 years. Only the eligibility and credentials of the institutions will be considered while allotting such facilities. KWIN City will also have residential facilities and common amenities. The process of allotting space to suitable and reputed institutions will be taken up over the next year, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, K Shivakumar appreciated MB Patil’s efforts to promote industrial growth in the State and attract greater investments to Karnataka. “These efforts are creating employment, promoting regional equity, increasing economic activity and boosting exports in the State. This is commendable,” he said.