Priyank Kharge Names Mobility and Cyber Safety as Top Priorities for Bengaluru

Bengaluru's IT and BT Minister, Priyank Kharge, has identified urban mobility, cyber safety, and sustainable urban development as the top priorities for the future growth and competitiveness of Bengaluru.

Speaking at a forum in Bengaluru, Kharge participated in a fireside chat and interactive session with industry leaders, technology innovators, and sustainability experts. The IT and BT department confirmed the discussions in an official statement.

During the session, the minister highlighted the severe urban mobility challenges currently facing the city. Kharge noted that Bengaluru is now home to nearly 1.5 crore people and more than 1.25 crore vehicles. To address this, he called for integrated, technology-enabled, and data-driven mobility solutions, emphasizing the importance of improved coordination, planning, and systemic interventions to enhance connectivity and ease traffic congestion.

"Urban mobility, cyber safety and sustainable urban development are critical to Bengaluru’s continued growth and competitiveness," Kharge said. "These are areas where we are committed to driving meaningful, systemic and long-term solutions while ensuring Bengaluru remains one of the world’s leading destinations for technology, innovation and investment."

The forum also explored the future of integrated workspaces and how they shape modern cities and economies. Participants discussed the intersection of commercial real estate, workplace strategy, technology, sustainability, and urban planning. The conversation focused on how future-ready workplaces and business districts can foster innovation, boost productivity, attract talent, and drive economic growth.

In addition to infrastructure, Kharge highlighted the state government's ongoing efforts to strengthen its innovation-led economy. He emphasized the government's commitment to supporting startups, fostering deeptech entrepreneurship, expanding workforce skilling, and building global innovation partnerships.

Other key initiatives discussed at the event included Elevate Next, sustainable digital infrastructure, the evolving data centre ecosystem, circular economy opportunities, and the deployment of emerging technologies to build future-ready cities and workplaces.