Manki Port to Mangaluru Water Metro: Karnataka Cabinet Approves Major Infrastructure Projects

The Karnataka Cabinet on Friday approved a series of infrastructure and development projects for the region, including a Rs 6,925-crore multi-purpose port and shipbuilding centre at Manki in Uttara Kannada.

The Manki project will be developed under the PPP Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer model. It will have a capacity of 15 million tonnes per annum and is expected to generate 44,800 direct and indirect jobs. The government estimates it could provide a Rs 28,000-crore boost to the state economy.

The Cabinet also approved a revised plan for the Karwar airport, increasing its cost 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 facilitate A-320 operations.

A greenfield shipbuilding yard at Gangolli in Udupi district was approved at an estimated cost of Rs 322 crore under the PPP model.

For rural connectivity, the Cabinet approved the Chief Minister's Rural Development Scheme for developing 15,000 km of rural roads at a cost of Rs 10,000 crore. Of this, Rs 6,000 crore is proposed for roads and drains within village limits. Six bridge projects in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi were also approved.

The Cabinet gave in-principle approval to examine a Mangaluru Water Metro along the Gurupura and Netravathi rivers under the PPP model. The Karnataka Water Transport Board was authorised to take further steps.

It also approved a Rs 30-crore wholesale fish market at Ekkur in Mangaluru and Rs 20 crore for fisheries works, including a jetty for traditional fishing boats at Kotekar and a berthing basin at Bengre.

The coastal areas of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada will be notified as a Special Marine Zone. A Special Processing Zone is proposed on 150 acres reserved for a fisheries park at Ballunje in Mulki taluk.

The Cabinet approved a Rs 60-crore five-year programme under the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy, including an institute, laboratories, a biobank and incubation centres. It also approved the Karnataka Sustainable Data Centre Policy 2026-31.