‘Belagavi First’ IT-BT Meet Signals Fresh Push To Build City’s Tech Ecosystem

Belagavi’s efforts to position itself as a future technology and innovation hub gathered momentum with “Belagavi First,” the city’s first dedicated IT-BT review and stakeholder meeting, organised by Belagavi MLA Asif Sait. The event brought together IT and technology-enabled companies, engineering colleges, students, and members of the Belagavi Technology Companies Association (BeTCA), creating a rare common platform for government, industry and academia to discuss the roadmap for the city’s technology sector. The meeting was attended by Minister for IT & BT Priyank Kharge, Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman of KEONICS, and MLA Ganesh Hukkeri, highlighting the state government’s renewed focus on decentralising Karnataka’s technology growth beyond Bengaluru. Decentralising IT Growth Beyond Bengaluru Addressing the gathering, Minister Priyank Kharge said Karnataka’s IT-BT expansion cannot remain Bengaluru-centric and stressed the need to provide focused policy and infrastructure support to tier-2 and tier-3 cities, such as Belagavi. “Karnataka’s IT-BT growth cannot remain Bengaluru-centric. Cities like Belagavi must get their rightful share of opportunities,” Kharge said. He acknowledged that Belagavi has long remained on the sidelines despite its strategic location, strong educational institutions and available human resources. Accepting that earlier efforts faced hiccups, the Minister assured stakeholders of faster execution and improved inter-departmental coordination going forward. Belagavi has the talent and location advantage; what is needed now is focused execution and coordination. BeTCA to Play Key Role in Roadmap The Minister expressed satisfaction with the work done by BeTCA, lauding it as a representative body of Belagavi’s technology ecosystem. He indicated that an MoU will be signed between BeTCA and the IT-BT Department, formalising collaboration. BeTCA has been tasked with preparing a comprehensive blueprint outlining: Infrastructure and facility requirements Scalability plans for the local tech ecosystem Space needs for startups, GCCs, MSME-linked IT services, skilling centres and innovation hubs “IT development is not limited to large parks alone. Startups, GCCs, skilling centres and innovation spaces are equally important,” Kharge said, adding that Belagavi has the potential to emerge as a cost-effective and talent-rich alternative for companies looking to expand beyond Bengaluru. IT development is not only about large parks. Startups, GCCs, skilling centres and innovation spaces are equally important.Minister for IT & BT Priyank Kharge Land Identification and Infrastructure Push KEONICS Chairman Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda instructed officials to provide details of available land parcels suitable for IT-related development. It was also decided that the Belagavi Urban Development Authority (BUDA) would hold discussions with BeTCA to identify feasible land options for future IT infrastructure. Kharge said coordination among departments such as revenue, urban development, industries and local bodies would be strengthened to fast-track proposals related to IT parks, plug-and-play spaces and incubation facilities. “Land availability, infrastructure and approvals will be reviewed so that projects do not get stuck in files,” he said. We are here to listen. Inputs from local stakeholders will directly influence how policies are implemented for Belagavi. Land availability, infrastructure and approvals will be reviewed so that projects do not get stuck in files. Our aim is to make tier-2 cities investment-ready, not just policy-ready. Minister for IT & BT Priyank Kharge Stakeholder Engagement and Local Leadership The ‘Belagavi First’ meeting saw active participation from multiple stakeholders in the city’s technology ecosystem, who expressed a strong appetite for growth and investment. The Minister assured that feedback from the ground would directly shape policy decisions, and that Belagavi’s requirements would be reviewed at the state level with clear timelines. He also underlined that MLA Asif Sait would drive coordination and follow-up at the local level to ensure progress on the decisions taken. “Our aim is to make tier-2 cities investment-ready, not just policy-ready,” Kharge said. With government backing, structured industry participation and a clear execution focus, ‘Belagavi First’ marked a significant step towards positioning Belagavi as an emerging technology and innovation node in Karnataka. Members of BETCA, Professors, Principals, students, and entrepreneurs participated in the meeting.