Biocon chief Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw backs CM Shivakumar's vision to transform Bengaluru into world-class city
Bengaluru, June 16
Founder of Biocon and honorary consul of Ireland, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, on Tuesday expressed confidence in Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar's vision to transform Bengaluru into a world-class city, saying the international community represented at a meeting with him was willing to support the state's development initiatives.
Speaking to reporters after meeting Shivakumar at the Chief Minister's office in Vidhana Soudha, Mazumdar-Shaw said, "We had a very good meeting with Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. I think we are all supporting him on all the new initiatives that are required to develop Bangalore into a world-class city. I think every country that we represent is willing to basically support this effort. So, I think that's the main essence of our conversation."
She further said that Shivakumar was committed to the overall development of both Bengaluru and Karnataka.
"The Chief Minister is very committed to developing not just Bengaluru, but Karnataka, and making it both a world-class city and a leading state in the country," she said.
Responding to questions on her suggestions to the Chief Minister amid her earlier criticism of Bengaluru's civic amenities and infrastructure, Mazumdar-Shaw said significant efforts were already underway.
"I think he's doing a lot. Now, I think he's going to double down and really get things moving. Many things need to be done. Bangalore needs better infrastructure, including the tunnel road, many elevated highways and corridors, and also the Peripheral Ring Road. There should also be a special budgetary allocation for Outer Ring Road improvements," she said.
I think he's doing a lot. Now, I think he's going to double down and really get things moving. Many things need to be done. Bangalore needs better infrastructure, including the tunnel road, many elevated highways, corridors, and the Peripheral Ring Road (PRR). A special budgetary allocation was given for the Outer Ring Road improvements (ORR)," Shaw added.
She also welcomed the government's initiatives in waste management and urged citizens to contribute to maintaining the city.
"A lot is going to happen, and of course, he has taken bold measures in garbage and solid waste management. So, I think we should, as citizens, really do our bit to be very civic-minded," she added.
Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also shared details of the meeting in a post on X, saying a delegation of Honorary Consuls led by Mazumdar-Shaw discussed ways to strengthen Karnataka's engagement with the global community.
"A delegation of Honorary Consuls, led by Dr. @kiranshaw, called on me at Vidhana Soudha today. We discussed avenues to deepen Karnataka's engagement with the global community and create new opportunities for investment, innovation and economic growth. Honorary Consuls play a vital role in strengthening ties between Karnataka and countries across the world. I appreciate their efforts and look forward to their continued support in promoting Karnataka as a preferred destination for investment, innovation, education and enterprise," CM wrote on X.
Earlier in the day, a delegation comprising distinguished ambassadors and prominent personalities, including Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Suresh, Geetanjali Kirloskar, Vikram Vishwanath, Mohan Suresh, Shabina Sultana, Karthik Tallam, Raghavendra Poojari and Ravishankar, met Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at his office in Vidhana Soudha and conveyed their greetings and congratulations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate the optimism, but let's be real—how many times have we heard 'world-class Bengaluru'? We need execution, not just vision. The ORR is a nightmare daily, and garbage management is still a joke in many areas. Hope this time it's different. 🙏
Good to see industry leaders and diplomats coming together. But infrastructure is just one piece—what about water supply, public transport, and air quality? If Shivakumar can fix the basics, Bengaluru can truly shine. Let's hope the PRR gets done before 2030! 😅
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw backing Shivakumar is a big deal. She's been critical before, so her support means something. But CM needs to tackle the real issues—potholes, traffic, and waste. Let's see if the tunnel road actually materializes. Actions speak louder than press meets!
I'm cautiously optimistic. Shivakumar seems serious about Bengaluru, but we've been let down before. The mention of waste management is promising—if citizens cooperate and the govt invests in proper systems, we could see change. Just don't forget the outer suburbs! 👍
All this talk about 'world-class'—but what about the middle class? We need affordable housing, better public schools, and reliable public transport. A tunnel road is great for cars, but what about the guy taking the bus? Let's build a city for everyone, not just the elite. 🤔