The Karnataka government has reduced the price of plots at the Ballari Jeans Park by 50 percent in an effort to attract investors. Earlier, the land was priced at ₹1.35 crore per acre, which has now been revised to ₹67.5 lakh per acre.
The jeans park, being developed by the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), spans nearly 650 acres. In the first phase, 173 plots of varying sizes are being developed across 154.70 acres. These include 75 quarter-acre plots, 47 half-acre plots, three one-acre plots, 45 plots measuring one-and-a-half acres, two five-acre plots, and one 10-acre plot. Smaller plots have been earmarked to encourage participation from local tailors and small dyeing units.
Officials said the price reduction followed a lukewarm response from entrepreneurs, particularly local businessmen, who had approached the government seeking a revision in rates. The park was initially envisioned as a world-class facility, and the government had expected strong interest at the earlier price.
Meanwhile, unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh has affected its jeans industry, prompting the state government to scale up denim manufacturing within Karnataka. To support large-scale units, an additional 487 acres has been acquired at Sanjeevarayanakote near Ballari.
Water supply and a common effluent treatment plant (CETP) remain critical requirements for the industry. Several units reportedly shut down during summer due to water shortages. In response, the government has planned to supply five million litres per day (MLD) of water, and a detailed project report has been prepared for establishing a CETP.
Sources said the government has invited Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, to attend the ground-breaking ceremony for the first phase of the jeans park.