Balasaheb Patil, a true titan of industry and a pioneering figure in North Karnataka, sadly passed away in Belagavi on Thursday at the venerable age of 93.
He was the esteemed founder of the B.T. Patil and Sons Group, affectionately known as Patsons, which grew into a formidable industrial and business empire with diverse investments across various fields.
Mr. Patil was widely recognized for his exceptional engineering prowess, unwavering personal discipline, and deep commitment to environmental sustainability – principles that formed the bedrock of his enduring legacy.
His engineering firms bravely tackled ambitious construction projects, including the intricate tunnelling work for the Konkan Railway through challenging mountainous terrain. Remarkably, they successfully completed over 65 kilometers of tunnels, featuring the impressive 3-kilometer-long Tike tunnel, a testament to their skill.
Under his astute leadership, the Belagavi-based Patsons earned national recognition for its unparalleled expertise in tunnelling, as well as the complete design and construction of dams and hydro-power projects. Over time, the group further expanded its horizons, diversifying into automation, structural engineering, and IT services.
Beyond his significant industrial ventures, Mr. Patil was a dedicated and active philanthropist. He established and managed a polytechnic in Belagavi, fostering education and skill development in the region. His generosity was particularly evident through his substantial donation of ₹1 crore to the PM CARES Fund and his extensive provision of food and essential supplies to the less fortunate during the challenging COVID-19 induced lockdown period.
Demonstrating his strong belief in legal due process and justice, Mr. Patil famously took the Belagavi City Corporation and Belagavi Smart City Corporation to court. The dispute arose from their illegal encroachment upon his land for road construction without proper acquisition and adherence to legal procedures. The High Court of Karnataka, sitting in Dharwad, sided unequivocally with Mr. Patil, ordering damages against the State government. This ruling ultimately led to the city corporation closing the road and returning the land to the petitioner.
He is survived by his beloved wife, his sons Sachin and Tushar, his daughter, his brother Prabhakar Patil, his sister Shalini, and a wide circle of grieving relatives and friends, all of whom cherish his memory.
A respected and influential leader within the Jain community, he served as the chairman of Mahaveer Cooperative Bank for over 25 years. He was also among the instrumental founders of Markandeya Sugars and was deeply involved in the management of several prominent Jain institutions, including Mahaveer Bhavan.
In a heartfelt condolence message, MLA and BJP leader Abhay Patil praised his late uncle, stating, “With profound grief, we mourn the passing of my uncle, Balasaheb T. Patil — a visionary industrialist and philanthropist. He leaves behind a profound legacy of integrity, vision, and nation-building — one that continues to inspire engineers, entrepreneurs, and educators alike.”