The Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd (KEONICS) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) for the establishment of a new technology park in Mangaluru, according to Manjula N, Secretary of the Karnataka Department of Electronics, IT, BT, and Science and Technology.

Speaking to media during her visit to the city on Friday, she said the proposed technology park would play a crucial role in strengthening Mangaluru’s growing IT ecosystem and fostering regional economic growth.

The Karnataka government recently approved the establishment of the new IT park on KEONICS-owned land in Mangaluru. The project will be developed on a 3.285-acre plot along Blueberry Hills Road under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model through a public-private partnership (PPP).

According to the tender document, the site offers strong potential for IT and ITeS development, providing ample space for modern office infrastructure. As Mangaluru currently lacks a dedicated technology park, this initiative aims to attract diverse IT firms, stimulate job creation, and boost local economic activity.

Manjula highlighted that the Karnataka government is actively promoting IT growth beyond Bengaluru, with emerging clusters in Mangaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, and Belagavi drawing increasing investment.

She also noted that several nano Global Capability Centres (GCCs) have already set up operations in the Mangaluru-Udupi belt. “There is potential to establish a data centre park in Mangaluru,” she added, emphasising that feasibility studies on power, water, and infrastructure requirements will soon be conducted.

Sanjeev Kumar Gupta, Chief Executive Officer of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), said that several companies have established operations in Mangaluru in recent years, including one foreign firm that has opened a research and development centre.

Rohith Bhat, Lead Industry Anchor for KDEM’s Mangaluru cluster, added that demand for IT office space in the region has risen sharply due to the growing availability of skilled talent and supportive infrastructure.

The proposed KEONICS technology park is expected to serve as a catalyst for innovation, employment, and sustainable digital growth in coastal Karnataka.