Karnataka offers land for India’s first construction equipment testing facility

Karnataka offers 105 acres in Mandya for India’s first construction equipment testing facility. ₹500‑crore ARAI project set to boost industry

The Karnataka Government has stepped forward to support a major infrastructure initiative by offering 105 acres of land in Mandya district for India’s first dedicated construction and infrastructure equipment testing facility. The project, to be set up by the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), is estimated to cost ₹500 crore.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, recently announced that the facility would be established near Mandya and confirmed that he had written to the state government requesting land. Responding to this request, Karnataka Industries Minister M.B. Patil said the government had identified a site at Basaralu, about 30 km from Mandya. “While the Centre sought 100 acres, we are ready to allocate 105 acres,” Patil stated.

A central team along with ARAI representatives has been invited to conduct a joint inspection of the proposed site. In his communication to Kumaraswamy, Patil highlighted that the land is located close to the Mandya–Nagamangala state highway, making it accessible for large-scale operations. The Deputy Commissioner of Mandya district confirmed that government land is available in Muddanaghatta and Heggadathihalli villages of Basaralu Hobli.

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This development follows Kumaraswamy’s earlier appeal for land to establish the facility, which he described as a world-class project aimed at strengthening India’s construction and infrastructure equipment sector. On February 8, the minister emphasized that the initiative would also serve as a response to critics questioning his contributions to Mandya district.

The proposed testing facility is expected to provide advanced research, certification, and quality assurance for construction machinery and infrastructure equipment, marking a significant step in India’s industrial growth. With Karnataka’s proactive support, the project is poised to become a landmark in Mandya’s development and India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

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