HAL can expand in Andhra Pradesh, but not at Bengaluru’s cost: MB Patil

Karnataka minister for large and medium industries and infrastructure MB Patil

Karnataka, which contributes 65 percent to the national defence and aerospace industry, deserves the sanctioning of a defence corridor on merit, state minister for large and medium industries MB Patil said on Monday.

Speaking to the media, Patil said, “I will visit New Delhi shortly to urge the Centre to approve the defence corridor project for our state.” He added that he plans to hold discussions with Union defence minister Rajnath Singh and other concerned authorities in this regard.

Responding to media reports suggesting that Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has sought to shift HAL’s Bengaluru operations to his state, Patil clarified: “Requesting the setting up of a unit in Andhra Pradesh as part of HAL’s expansion plans is understandable, but asking to transfer the existing Bengaluru operations is not justifiable.”

“To my understanding,  Naidu may not have asked for shifting Bengaluru operations. He might have only requested the establishment of a new unit there. However, if he has indeed requested the relocation of operations from Bengaluru, that would not be appropriate,” Patil said.

He also pointed out that Karnataka should have been granted the defence corridor project much earlier. “While the project was sanctioned to Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu two years ago, we did not oppose its allocation to other states. However, we wish to highlight that Karnataka fully qualifies for the project purely on merit — not due to political influence,” he said.

Patil further noted, “Before visiting New Delhi, we will take all our ministers into confidence. The reported development regarding Chandrababu Naidu’s proposal at the NITI Aayog meeting, seeking the relocation of HAL, will be discussed with the chief minister and chief secretary"