The Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) will establish a dedicated planning, policy and data analytics wing to prepare a five-year action plan (2026-2031) aimed at increasing the region’s contribution to the State GDP, KKRDB Chairman Ajay Singh has said.

Addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Monday, he said that the region’s GDP and per capita income remain below the State average, necessitating the formulation of development policies for agriculture, industry, tourism and the textiles sector.

A proposal will be submitted to the State government, he added.

Dr. Singh said that balanced regional growth can be achieved only through the development of second and third-tier cities, beyond Bengaluru. Under the proposed Kalyana Karnataka Economy Mission, efforts will be made to attract more investments and provide greater support to industries and entrepreneurs.

The board, in its meeting earlier in the day, unanimously approved the preparation of an action plan for the effective utilisation of the ₹5,000 crore allocation earmarked for 2026-27.

In addition to department budget allocations, KKRDB will provide supplementary grants for key schemes in health, education innovation, Kalyana Path and hostel infrastructure, he added.

To strengthen employment and skill development, Government Tool Room and Training Centres (GTTCs) will be established at Sedam, Jewargi, Sindhanur and Raichur at a cost of ₹73 crore each, he said.

Dr. Singh said that after earmarking funds last year for an industrial hub in Kalaburagi and Yadgir districts, the focus this year will shift to developing an industrial hub in the Raichur and Koppal region.

On the issue of bus allocation to the Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC), he clarified that the KKRDB will provide additional support only if the State government extends equal assistance to KKRTC as has already been provided to other transport corporations.

Regarding the proposed Karnataka Public Schools infrastructure project, he said that discussions have been held with School Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa and a process to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) is under way.

Dr. Singh also referred to a recent report by economist Govind Rao committee that has recommended an investment of ₹43,914 crore over five years for the region, including ₹12,000 crore each for education and healthcare, ₹10,000 crore for irrigation and ₹2,000 crore for the agriculture sector.

He said that KKRDB has spent nearly ₹9,500 crore on various development works between 2023-24 and 2025-26 and expressed the confidence that the entire ₹5,000 crore allocation made to the board by the State government for 2026-27 will be fully utilised within the financial year.

KKRDB secretary Nalin Atul was present.