Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Friday emphasised the urgent need to reduce steel logistics costs from the current 14 per cent of GDP to a more competitive 8 per cent. Seeking Centre’s support to boost logistics infrastructure in Karnataka, he highlighted the state’s proactive steps in promoting cluster-based development, integrated industrial corridors, and high-quality logistics infrastructure to support the steel sector and broader industrial growth.

Addressing a Round Table discussion titled ‘Focusing on the Steel Sector in the State of Karnataka’ during the 6th edition of India Steel-25—an International Conference-cum-Exhibition organised by the Ministry of Steel at the Bombay Exhibition Center—Patil noted that Karnataka’s iron ore-rich regions of Ballari, Chitradurga, and Sandur form a critical backbone of India’s metallurgical economy.

According to Karnataka’s Large and Medium Industries Minister, the state contributes nearly 15 per cent to the country’s steel output and hosts major industry players like JSW Steel in Ballari, Kalyani Steels, Kirloskar Ferrous, and the Baldota Group. Patil urged the central government to support the strengthening of Karnataka’s industrial infrastructure across various transport modes.

He sought assistance in developing seaports and industrial clusters with essential infrastructure such as transport networks and truck terminals. The Minister underlined that Karnataka is progressing with its logistics development plans. The proposed Hubballi-Ankola railway line and ongoing upgrades to National Highways will significantly improve connectivity to the hinterlands, Patil said in a statement issued by his office. He also highlighted the Multi-Modal Logistics Park in Bengaluru, which will facilitate seamless multimodal movement of bulk goods.

Additionally, the growing steel export capacity at the New Mangaluru Port is critical for both domestic supply chains and global trade. He pointed to the strategic importance of the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and the Bengaluru-Mumbai Economic Corridor (BMEC), which are enhancing industrial connectivity between southern and western India by linking key hubs to major ports and reducing logistics time. The Karnataka government, he affirmed, is committed to building a digitally empowered, multimodal, and sustainable logistics ecosystem for the steel sector—one that reduces costs, boosts exports, and improves ease of

doing business.