Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Sep 18: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a series of projects covering coastal tourism, island development, infrastructure, fisheries, ports, education, water supply, urban development and the Blue Economy as part of its decisions taken at the special Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru on Friday September 18.

Deputy chief minister Dr G Parameshwara briefed the media on the approvals made.

Development of 12 Coastal Islands

The Cabinet approved the development of 12 islands across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada to strengthen coastal tourism.

The projects will be implemented under the PPP model on a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) basis, with a proposed lease period of 30 years, including the construction period, after obtaining statutory approvals.

In Dakshina Kannada, the northern and southern islands of the Gurpur river in Mangaluru taluk will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 125.43 crore. The northern island will have a 30-berth marina spread over 30.42 acres, while the southern island will have 32 eco-huts spread over 17.28 acres.

Seven islands in Karwar, Bhatkal and Ankola taluks of Uttara Kannada — Madhyalingad, Devgad, Hog, Mongergudda, Kirikund, Ankane Cheggudu and Kurumgad — will be developed over approximately 59 acres and 31 guntas at an estimated cost of Rs 307.71 crore.

In Udupi district, eco-tourism facilities will be developed at Ayabba, Daria, Bahaddurgad and Malpe islands over approximately 26.69 acres at an estimated cost of Rs 279.03 crore.

Mangaluru Lighthouse Tourism Project

Tourism and hospitality infrastructure will be developed around the Mangaluru Lighthouse over 1.5 acres under the PPP model on a DBFOT basis.

The Rs 60.34-crore project will include a 35-room three-star or higher-category facility and focus on the conservation of the lighthouse and tourism development.

Four Major Tourism Projects

Tourism projects worth Rs 238 crore were approved at four locations in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikkamagaluru.

The projects include a Riverfront Wellness Resort at Kodikal, Mangaluru, on 16.5 acres at a cost of Rs 73 crore; eco-friendly beachfront glamping, a sea-experience centre and expo zone at Tannirbhavi on 4.97 acres at Rs 53 crore; resort, adventure and entertainment facilities at Trasi-Maravanthe in Udupi at Rs 48 crore; and an eco-resort at Ravoor in Chikkamagaluru at Rs 64 crore.

Venkateshwara Temple near Surathkal

The Cabinet approved the allotment of 10 acres in Badaga Yekkar village of Surathkal hobli to Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams for the construction of a Sri Venkateshwara Swamy Temple and Kalyana Mantapa.

Inland Vessel Rules

The Cabinet approved the notification of the Karnataka Inland Vessels (Adjudication of Penalties and Appeals) Rules, 2026, in accordance with the decriminalisation provisions under the Jan Vishwas framework.

Directors of Ports will function as adjudicating officers, while the Chief Executive Officer of the Karnataka Water Transport Board will serve as the appellate authority.

The rules provide for time-bound adjudication and penalties for violations and are aimed at strengthening safety, registration and navigation regulations for vessels operating along coastal and inland waterways.

Coastal Zone Management Plan Revision

The Cabinet approved the revision of the existing Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) 2019 under the CRZ Notification 2019.

The revision follows requests from fishermen, tourism stakeholders, landowners, local bodies and district administrations in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada regarding differences between approved maps and ground realities.

Karwar Airport Expansion

The Cabinet granted revised administrative approval to increase the cost of the Karwar Airport development project from Rs 98.24 crore to Rs 250.05 crore.

The existing 2,000-metre runway will be extended to 3,250 metres to facilitate operations by A-320 aircraft.

The revised cost includes land acquisition, rehabilitation of affected persons, approach roads, civil enclave construction and related works.

Six Major Bridge Projects

The Cabinet approved six major bridge and connectivity projects in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

A bridge at Palimar in the Damaskatte-Bulkunje area of Mulki taluk will be reconstructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

The remaining connectivity and related works for the Kote Koor-Bolar bridge across the Netravati River will be completed at Rs 50 crore.

A bridge at Kandlur on State Highway 85 in the Tirthahalli-Kundapur section will be constructed at Rs 55 crore.

The Maravoor bridge on the Mangaluru-Athradi State Highway will be developed at Rs 40 crore.

The Kateel bridge on the same highway will be reconstructed at a cost of Rs 33 crore, with a proposed width of 16 metres.

A new Rs 26-crore bridge across the Siri River will connect Kamajal in Manila village with Poovanadaka village in Bantwal taluk.

Fisheries Connectivity and Infrastructure

Administrative approval was given for Rs 20 crore for the maintenance and development of fisheries-link roads in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts.

Another Rs 20 crore was approved for fisheries-related works, including a jetty at Kotepura in Mangaluru for traditional fishing boats, a berthing basin at Bengre, dredging from the mouth of the Mangaluru Fishing Harbour to Kotepura, and the installation of navigation buoys in the river channel around Mangaluru Fishing Harbour and Kotepura.

Modern Wholesale Fish Market at Ekkur

A Rs 30-crore modern wholesale fish market will be developed at Ekkur on three acres of Fisheries College land beside the National Highway.

The project aims to reduce congestion at the existing Mangaluru Fishing Harbour and improve facilities for the wholesale fish trade.

Special Marine Zones

The Cabinet decided to notify the coastal areas of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada as Special Marine Zones to expand fisheries-related economic activity.

Panchayat Raj Elections

With the terms of Panchayat Raj institutions completed, the government intends to conduct elections by December.

Following amendments allowing the use of ballot boxes instead of EVMs for these elections, the Cabinet approved Rs 151.31 crore for the procurement of ballot boxes and live webcasting of the elections.

Computers for Village Libraries

The Cabinet approved Rs 57.15 crore for the procurement of 6,350 computers and UPS systems for newly established village libraries under the Centre-sponsored Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment.

Manki Port Project

The Cabinet approved the development of a 15-MTPA multipurpose port and shipbuilding centre at Manki Port in Uttara Kannada under the PPP model on a DBFOT basis.

The estimated project cost is Rs 6,925 crore. The project is expected to generate around Rs 2,902.69 crore in assured revenue and provide an estimated Rs 28,000-crore boost to the state's economy, with around 44,800 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Greenfield Shipbuilding Yard at Gangolli

A Greenfield shipbuilding yard at Gangolli in Kundapur taluk will be developed under the PPP model on a DBFOT basis at an estimated cost of Rs 322 crore.

Coastal Passenger Ferry Service

The Cabinet approved the appointment of a Transaction Advisor to undertake a feasibility assessment and prepare the PPP structure for a coastal passenger ferry service aimed at strengthening connectivity between coastal centres.

Forest Recruitment Representation

The Cabinet approved amendments to the Karnataka Forest Department Services Recruitment Rules, 2026, to provide additional representation to local forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribe communities in direct recruitment to Forest Guard and Forest Watcher posts.

The measure covers communities including Hasalaru, Siddi, Kudiya, Bettakuruba and Paniya, along with other specified forest-dwelling tribal communities.

The newly created Kanakapura Wildlife Division will also be added to the existing wildlife divisions covered by the provision.

Karnataka Public Schools

The government is preparing to develop 1,000 Karnataka Public Schools across the state.

Of these, 49 schools in the coastal region — 20 in Dakshina Kannada, 12 in Udupi and 17 in Uttara Kannada — will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 245 crore.

The Cabinet also approved special powers for the respective Deputy Commissioners to provide administrative approval for these projects.

Wenlock District Hospital Expansion

The Government Wenlock District Hospital in Mangaluru will have its capacity increased by 200 beds in the first phase, along with the required staff and equipment.

Water Supply to Kaup

The Cabinet approved a Rs 19.06-crore bulk water supply scheme from the Udyavara River to seven villages in Kaup taluk.

A revised estimate of Rs 62.31 crore was also approved for the larger water supply project covering Kaup town and adjoining villages.

Mangala and Udupi Stadiums

The Mangala Stadium in Mangaluru will be developed as an international-standard sports facility at a cost of Rs 20 crore.

The Cabinet also approved Rs 10 crore for the installation of a synthetic track at the Udupi District Stadium.

Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy

The Cabinet approved the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-31.

Under the policy, a Karnataka Institute of Marine Biotechnology and Blue Economy will be established at the Government Fisheries College, while laboratories, a biobank and incubation centres will be established in Udupi.

The policy provides for an estimated investment of Rs 60 crore over five years, including Rs 10 crore for marine biotechnology zones, Rs 45 crore in incentives for seaweed value-added production and Rs 5 crore for a Karnataka pilot Blue Carbon certification programme.

Karnataka Sustainable Data Centre Policy

The Cabinet also approved the Karnataka Sustainable Data Centre Policy 2026-31.

The policy will support data-centre units, data-centre park developers and operators, cable landing stations, submarine cable operators and academic institutions.

Karkala Artisan Cluster

A Rs 20-crore Sculpture/Artisan Cluster will be established in Karkala taluk under the Government of India's MSE-CDP scheme.

Of the project cost, Rs 14 crore will come from the Union government, Rs 3 crore from the state government and Rs 3 crore through the Special Purpose Vehicle.

New Central Prison Boundary Wall

The Cabinet agreed to provide Rs 10 crore for the construction of the main boundary wall of the new Central Prison being developed in Mangaluru.

Mangaluru Water Metro

In-principle approval was granted to examine the technical and financial feasibility of implementing a Mangaluru Water Metro project on the Gurpur and Netravati rivers under the PPP model.

The Karnataka Water Transport Board has been authorised to undertake the necessary steps to take the project forward.

Pilikula Nisargadhama

To make Pilikula Nisargadhama more attractive, the Cabinet decided to cancel the existing lease over 356.20 acres and allot approximately 339.90 acres to the Department of Science and Technology.

Underground Drainage Works

Under the Asian Development Bank-assisted Karnataka Integrated Urban Water Management and Investment Programme, the Cabinet approved Rs 100 crore for the rehabilitation of the old underground drainage system in Mangaluru Zone 3 and the Surathkal area.

Rs 400 Crore for Mangaluru Roads

The Cabinet approved a special grant of Rs 400 crore for converting damaged roads within Mangaluru City Corporation limits into cement-concrete roads and for comprehensive road infrastructure development.

The action plan will be finalised under the leadership of the district in-charge minister.

Water Supply to Vittal

An Rs 94-crore water supply distribution project for Vittal town, including five years of operation and maintenance, was approved.

Land Allotments

The Cabinet approved land allotments to several institutions:

• St Lawrence Church, Attur: 7.30 acres in Nitte village, Karkala taluk
• Sri Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust, Sivagiri Math: 6.51 acres in Navoor village, Bantwal taluk, for Gurudharma Pracharana Sabha
• Sri Gurubrahma Muggarkala Temple, Padubelle: 29 cents in Belle village, Kaup taluk
• Karavali Lekhakiyara-Vachakiyara Sangha: 0.05 acre of land.

The decisions form part of the government's broader coastal and Malnad development programme announced following the first Karnataka Cabinet meeting held in Mangaluru.