HDB region can drive Karnataka’s tech-led growth, says Priyank Kharge

The Karnataka government has identified the HDB corridor in Hubballi, Dharwad and Belagavi as a key driver for the state's technology-led growth, aiming to attract large companies, electronics system design and manufacturing firms, global capability centers and startups to the region over the next three to five years. Priyank Kharge, the state's Home, Information Technology, Biotechnology and E-Governance minister, highlighted the HDB's existing industrial base and capabilities in semiconductors, ESDM, electric vehicles, AI, deep tech, Industry 4.0 and advanced engineering, indicating that the corridor is well-positioned to play a larger role in Karnataka's growth.

The HDB corridor comprises three cities with complementary strengths - Hubballi's technology and entrepreneurial base, Dharwad's academic and research institutions, and Belagavi's established base in aerospace, precision engineering and advanced manufacturing. Together, these strengths form a stronger ecosystem for innovation, investment and enterprise.

The HDB cluster supports over 850 DPIIT-recognized startups and employs around 30,000 tech and tech-enabled workers, with an estimated economy of Rs 2.79 lakh crore, accounting for around 11% of Karnataka's GDP. The region is developing manufacturing infrastructure, with 2 lakh sq ft of GPC infrastructure planned for development in Belagavi and 224.5 acres secured for an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at Kotur-Belur.

With a focus on making it easier for companies to establish and scale in the region, Karnataka is betting that the HDB can become one of North Karnataka's strongest engines of technology-led growth, as part of its broader effort to distribute technology-led growth across the state.