The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a major package of infrastructure, healthcare, fisheries, tourism and connectivity projects for the coastal region, including Rs 400 crore for road development in Mangaluru, an expanded Karwar airport and an exploration of a Water Metro on the Gurupura and Nethravathi rivers.
The Cabinet met in Mangaluru under Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. Deputy Chief Minister Dr G Parameshwara said the decisions also covered the development of 12 islands across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada under the public-private partnership model. The projects will follow a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer structure with a 30-year lease period, including statutory approvals and construction.
The Cabinet approved the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-31. A Karnataka Institute of Marine Biotechnology and Blue Economy will be established at the government Fisheries College, while laboratories, a biobank and an incubation centre are planned in Udupi. The policy provides for Rs 60 crore over five years, Rs 10 crore for marine biotechnology zones, Rs 45 crore in incentives for seaweed value-added production and Rs 5 crore for a pilot blue carbon certification programme.
The Karwar airport project received a substantial cost revision, with the estimate increasing from Rs 98.24 crore to Rs 250.05 crore. The existing 2,000-metre runway is proposed to be extended to 3,250 metres to support A-320 aircraft operations. The revised cost includes land acquisition, rehabilitation, approach roads and development of the civil enclave.
In Mangaluru, the Cabinet approved Rs 400 crore for road development and gave in-principle approval to explore a Water Metro on the Gurupura and Nethravathi rivers. It also approved the development of Mangala Stadium as an international-standard facility and increasing the capacity of Wenlock District Hospital by 200 beds. A project called “Mangalore Eye” is proposed on five acres near Kadri Park, with a tower intended to provide a bird’s-eye view of the city.
The Cabinet approved allotment of 10 acres in Badaga Yekkaru village near Surathkal to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for a Sri Venkateshwara Swamy temple and Kalyana Mantapa. It also approved the upgrade of Mangaluru Fisheries College into a Fisheries University, with student capacity expected to increase from 60 to 200.
The island projects include the development of the north and south islands in the Gurupura river at a cost of Rs 125.43 crore. A 30-berth marina will be developed over 30.42 acres on the northern island, while 32 eco-huts are planned over 17.28 acres on the southern island.
In Uttara Kannada, seven islands covering 59 acres and 31 guntas in Karwar, Bhatkal and Ankola taluks will be developed at a cost of Rs 307.71 crore. The project is expected to generate Rs 145.87 crore through revenue sharing, apart from an annual lease fee of Rs 8.7 crore, which will increase by five per cent every year. In Udupi, eco-tourism projects covering 26.69 acres at Ayaba, Daria Bahadur Gad and Malpe will cost Rs 279.03 crore. The government will receive a minimum two per cent revenue share and annual lease rent of Rs 3.87 crore, with a five per cent yearly increase.
Tourism and hospitality infrastructure around the Mangaluru lighthouse will be developed on 1.5 acres under the PPP model. The Rs 60.34-crore project includes a 35-room three-star or higher-category facility and measures to preserve the lighthouse. Four additional tourism projects in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru have a combined cost of Rs 238 crore, including a Riverfront Wellness Resort at Kodikal, a beachfront glamping and marine experience facility at Tannirbhavi, a recreation zone at Trasi-Maravanthe and an eco-retreat at Ravoor.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to Karnataka Forest Department recruitment rules to provide special representation for certain local forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribe communities in direct recruitment to Forest Guard and Forest Watcher posts. The listed communities include Halasaru, Siddi, Kudiya, Bettakuruba and Paniyan. It further approved revision of the Coastal Zone Management Plan 2019 following representations from fishermen, tourism stakeholders, landowners, local bodies and district administrations.
