Architect of Bengaluru's modern infra: City owes a lot to Manmohan Singh

Dr Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India and the architect of the nation’s economic resurgence, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92. Beyond his pivotal role in shaping India’s financial destiny, Singh leaves behind an enduring legacy in Bengaluru, a city transformed under his leadership between 2004 and 2014.

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A visionary leader, Singh laid the groundwork for Bengaluru’s rise as a global hub of connectivity and innovation. In 2008, he inaugurated the Kempegowda International Airport, a landmark that catapulted the city onto the world stage. Today, this airport stands as a bustling gateway, reinforcing Bengaluru’s stature as South India’s primary transit hub.

Singh's foresight extended to urban mobility, as he introduced the Namma Metro in 2011. Flagging off the first train from Baiyappanahalli to MG Road, he set the wheels of Bengaluru’s public transportation revolution in motion. He had prophesied that all other cities in the country yearned to become Bengaluru, emphasizing the urgency of sustainable growth.

His contribution wasn’t limited to infrastructure. In 2017, Singh inaugurated academic sessions at the Dr. BR Ambedkar School of Economics University, bolstering the city’s educational prowess.

As Bengaluru mourns his loss, it also celebrates Singh’s vision that continues to shape its modern identity—bridging aspirations with opportunities, one milestone at a time.