Karnataka to take lead with India's first circular economy policy: Priyank Kharge

Karnataka is on track to draft India’s first-ever circular economy policy, announced Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for IT, BT, and Science & Technology, during Propagate 2024, the flagship event of Brigade REAP, held in Bengaluru yesterday.

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The circular economy model focuses on eliminating waste through strategies like reuse, refurbishment, recycling, and composting. Kharge highlighted its importance in addressing climate change and revealed that the policy mandates 20% of all construction materials to be sustainable.

Speaking at the summit, which explored innovations in proptech and urban technologies, Kharge praised Karnataka’s progressive policies, crediting them for transforming Bengaluru into a global tech hub. “We must collaborate with the real estate sector to create a sustainable India,” he urged, adding that proptech would catalyze Karnataka’s real estate potential.

Kharge emphasized Karnataka’s commitment to fostering innovation, citing its talent pool, incubation systems, and initiatives beyond Bengaluru. “While slogans are made elsewhere, Karnataka is where the real work happens,” he remarked.

Nirupa Shankar, Joint Managing Director of Brigade Group, noted that technology now drives every facet of real estate, underscoring the need for sustainability and safety in urban development.

With over 500 delegates in attendance, Propagate 2024 reinforced Bengaluru’s role as a hub for innovation in real estate and sustainability.