Cricket legend Muralitharan bowls Rs 1,400 crore investment into KBU

Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan is set to embark on a new venture in India, investing a massive Rs 1,400 crore in phases to establish a beverage and confectionery unit in Badanaguppe, Chamarajanagar district.

The announcement came after Muralitharan met with Karnataka's Industries Minister M B Patil to discuss the project details. Muralitharan, already a successful entrepreneur with a soft drinks business in Sri Lanka, is expanding his horizons with this "greenfield" project under the brand "Muttiah Beverages and Confectioneries." The Chamarajanagar unit is expected to be operational by January 2025.

The project has witnessed a significant increase in scale since its initial conception. As per Minister Patil, the investment amount has been revised upwards from the initial Rs 230 crore to a total of Rs 1,000 crore, with further plans to reach Rs 1,400 crore in the coming years.

The Karnataka government is extending its support to the project. Officials have been instructed to resolve any minor hitches related to the allocated 46 acres of land for the unit. Additionally, Muralitharan has expressed his commitment to setting up another unit in Dharwad to manufacture beverage cans.

This significant investment by Muralitharan is expected to create jobs and boost the local economy in Chamarajanagar. The project holds promise for the development of the food and beverage sector in Karnataka.