The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a broad package of infrastructure, healthcare, fisheries, connectivity and tourism projects across the coastal region, including Rs. 4 bn for road development in Mangaluru. The decisions were taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Mangaluru and include proposals for a marine biotechnology policy, airport expansion, island development and improved public services.

The Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-31 provides for an institute focused on marine biotechnology and the blue economy at the government Fisheries College. Laboratories, a biobank and an incubation centre will be established in Udupi, with Rs. 600 mn allocated over 5 years. The Cabinet also approved development of 12 islands in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada through public-private partnerships, with 30-year lease periods.

The Karwar airport project has been revised to Rs. 2.5 bn, including land acquisition, rehabilitation, approach roads and a civil enclave. Its runway will be extended from 2,000 metres to 3,250 metres to support A-320 aircraft. The Cabinet also approved development of tourism facilities around the Mangaluru lighthouse, including a 35-room accommodation facility, and several eco-tourism and hospitality projects with a combined cost of Rs. 2.38 bn.

Healthcare and education projects include 200 additional beds at Wenlock District Hospital, a government medical college and teaching hospital near Puttur at Rs. 5.5 bn, and in-principle approval to upgrade the Mangaluru Fisheries College into a university. Mangala Stadium will be developed to international standards at Rs. 200 mn, while a synthetic track will be installed at Udupi District Stadium for Rs. 100 mn.

The Cabinet sanctioned Rs. 200 mn for fisheries link roads and related infrastructure, including a jetty, berthing basin and dredging works. It also approved a 15,000-km rural road programme costing Rs. 10 bn and a further Rs. 6 bn scheme for cement-concrete roads and drains. A multi-purpose port and shipbuilding centre at Manki will cost Rs. 69.25 bn, while a greenfield shipbuilding yard at Gangolli has been approved at Rs. 3.22 bn. The government also authorised feasibility work for a coastal passenger ferry service and a Mangaluru Water Metro on the Gurupura and Nethravathi rivers.