In a bold step to celebrate the memory of former Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Karnataka Cabinet approved a proposal to name Bengaluru City University after him. The proposal is being positioned as a recognition of Dr Singh’s contributions to India’s economic liberalisation and Bengaluru’s infrastructure development.
On 02 July 2025, the Karnataka Cabinet approved a resolution to rename Bengaluru City University after former PM Manmohan Singh, to highlight his long lasting impact on Bengaluru’s infrastructure through a number of projects during his time in office.
Dr. Manmohan Singh’s major contributions to Bengaluru
Urban infrastructure
• He laid the foundation stone of the Bangalore-Electronic City Elevated Highway, on 24 June 2006.
• He oversaw the six-laning of NH4 (Bengaluru-Nelamangala stretch), including a 4-km-long elevated corridor.
Bengaluru Metro
• He laid the foundation stone for the Bengaluru Metro (cost estimate ₹6,000 crore) on 24 June 2006.
• On 20 November 2011, he flagged off Namma Metro’s first stretch, from Baiyappanahalli to MG Road.
Aviation
• He inaugurated Kempegowda International Airport on 24 May 2008 — now the third busiest in India as on FY 2023–24, it handled 37 million passengers.
Education & academia
• He taught at the Dr BR Ambedkar School of Economics (BASE) in 2017.
• He spoke to students of IIM Bangalore in the 1990s.
North Campus Development – Phase 2:
• The Karnataka Cabinet has approved ₹123.50 crore for Phase-2 development of Bangalore City University’s North Campus at Amaravati, Chikkaballapur district.
• Phase-1, valued at ₹91 crore, already has been completed as administration and residential buildings.
• The Karnataka Housing Board will carry out this phase using university and internal revenue department funds.
