File photo of a ship going from Mumbai to Goa. Karnataka is planning to develop a sea waterway to connect Mangaluru-Karwar-Goa-Mumbai. , Photo credit: Vivek Bendre
Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced in the state budget on 17 February that the Karnataka government would develop two all-weather deep-sea ports in Uttara Kannada district under public-private partnership (PPP).
Presenting his maiden budget in Bengaluru, Mr. Bommai said the ports are expected to boost economic activities in the state. While the port at Keni near Ankola will be designed to handle 30 million tonnes of cargo per annum, the proposed port at Pavinakurve in Honnavara taluk will be equipped to handle 14 MTPA.
Stating that minor ports play an important role in strengthening the local economy, Mr. Bommai said that they handled more than 6 lakh tonnes of cargo in the state in 2022-23. Projects worth Rs 370 crore were already in progress under the Sagarmala scheme to improve minor ports in the state, while 12 new projects worth Rs 597 crore would be taken up during this year.
The government has submitted a detailed project report to develop a state-of-the-art fishing port at Majali in Uttara Kannada district at an estimated cost of ₹275 crore.
boat building yard
While boat-building yards are operational at Hangarkatte and Malpe in Udupi district, in collaboration with Cochin Shipyard Limited, an additional boat-building yard will come up at Mangaluru fishing port, contributing to the development of marine fishing sector. The yard is proposed to be built on the Bengre-side of the Gurupura (Phalguni) river where a coastal berth will come up.
The government is also planning to implement the ₹1,100 crore project with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank under the Prime Minister’s Blue Economy Scheme.
The government intends to develop barge service connectivity on Netravati and Gurupura (Phalguni) rivers near Mangaluru under PPP model. Sea waterway will be developed to connect Mangaluru-Karwar-Goa-Mumbai for ease of travel.
Mr. Bommai said that a marina of international standards would be developed at Byndoor beach in Udupi district to develop tourism related activities under PPP mode.