Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced that the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) will be allotted space to open Nandini outlets in eight metro stations across Bengaluru, following political backlash over the presence of Amul kiosks in the city’s Namma Metro network.
Speaking to reporters at his official residence, Shivakumar clarified that the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) had earlier issued a global tender for setting up dairy outlets in metro stations, to which Amul was the sole applicant. As a result, Amul has already opened kiosks in two metro stations.
“It would not be appropriate to shut down the existing Amul outlets,” Shivakumar said. “However, we have now instructed KMF to submit its application to BMRCL, and they will be allowed to set up Nandini outlets in the remaining eight stations.”
The Deputy CM’s statement comes amid a growing political and regional debate over the entry of Gujarat-based dairy giant Amul into Karnataka, with several pro-Kannada groups and political leaders opposing what they view as an encroachment on Nandini’s market share.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to promoting local brands, Shivakumar assured that Nandini will continue to play a dominant role in Karnataka’s dairy sector and will now have increased visibility through metro stations.
The BMRCL is expected to process KMF’s application and facilitate the expansion of Nandini’s footprint within the Namma Metro premises in the coming weeks.