Bengaluru Booms: India's IT Capital Thrives, But at What Cost?

Bengaluru's transformation from a quiet little city to India's IT capital has been remarkable, but it has come at a steep cost to infrastructure and natural ecosystems. From 6.5 million in 2001, Bengaluru's population shot up to 9.6 million, with estimates suggesting the current population might be over 12 million.

The city had all the ingredients to attract people: cool weather, tree-lined boulevards, bustling pubs and bars, and a low cost of living. However, the IT boom brought rapid urbanization, changing the city's landscape and real estate. Traditional commercial areas like MG Road and Brigade Road gave way to new hubs in Electronics City, Whitefield, Outer Ring Road, and Sarjapur.

The growth has been driven by home-grown companies like Infosys and Wipro, as well as multinational firms like Microsoft, Walmart, and Goldman Sachs. The city now hosts some of the biggest technology and R&D centres globally, with almost 50% of global capability centers in India located there. The IT sector has contributed significantly to Bengaluru's economy, with a per capita income of ₹8,55,960, higher than the state average.