A delegation from the Kalyana Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCI), led by President Sharanabasappa M. Pappa and Honorary Secretary Shivraj V. Inginshetty, met with Minister for Large and Medium Industries M.B. Patil in Kalaburagi to urge immediate government action to revive the long-defunct GE Heavy Engineering Plant in Shahabad town.
Established in 1965, the Shahabad heavy engineering facility spans over 300 acres and includes an integrated township. However, the plant has remained non-operational for over a decade, leaving major manufacturing infrastructure idle and severely impacting the economic prosperity of Shahabad taluk. The shutdown led to a sharp loss of direct employment and damaged the local network of ancillary industries and small businesses.
The KKCCI delegation highlighted that GE Aerospace and other major global firms are currently expanding their manufacturing footprint in India. The chamber proposed that the Karnataka government intervene to modernize and repurpose the existing Shahabad infrastructure for advanced engineering sectors, such as aerospace, defence, and clean energy. In addition, the delegation asked the state government to accelerate administrative clearances and utility connections for regional industrial projects to support the 'Build Beyond Bengaluru' vision.
For the residents of Shahabad taluk, restarting operations at the historic plant would mark a major turning point. Beyond creating thousands of technical and industrial jobs for local youth, repurposing the facility would revitalize ancillary businesses, improve municipal revenue, and spur economic recovery across Kalaburagi district.
