Sri Lankan cricket legend Muttiah Muralitharan is all set to invest Rs 1,400 crore in phases to establish a beverages and confectionery unit in Badanaguppe, Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka, according to state’s Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil.
Project Highlights
Speaking after discussions with Lankan spinner Muralitharan, Minister Patil announced that the project, initially planned with an investment of Rs 230 crore, has been scaled up to Rs 1,000 crore and will eventually reach Rs 1,400 crore in subsequent phases. The facility, operating under the newly registered brand "Muttiah Beverages and Confectioneries," will begin manufacturing operations by January 2025.
Forty-six acres of land have already been allocated for the venture. Patil assured that minor land-related issues will be resolved to facilitate the project’s smooth execution. The initiative is expected to significantly contribute to the local economy by creating jobs and improving infrastructure.
Strategic Partnership with Reliance
The project marks a partnership between Muralitharan and Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, aimed at reviving the iconic Campa Cola brand. With this venture, the duo plans to disrupt the Indian soft drink market, which has long been dominated by global giants Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.
Campa Cola products will be the flagship offering of the new unit, positioning the brand as a formidable competitor in the beverage sector. The move is seen as a strategic effort to reclaim a share of the market and strengthen the brand's presence in India.
Future Plans
Minister Patil also revealed that Muralitharan plans to establish another manufacturing unit in Dharwad, Karnataka, further boosting industrial development in the state. The project underscores a significant step in revitalizing India's beverage industry while contributing to Karnataka's economic growth.
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