Mumbai, Oct. 5 -- The Karnataka Maritime Board is shifting towards a public-private partnership (PPP) model to modernise the state's coastal infrastructure, with plans extending beyond port capacity expansion to logistics, specialised shipbuilding and digital connectivity. The strategy is intended to create an integrated maritime network and improve efficiency across the state's coastal economy.
Karnataka currently manages one major port, New Mangalore Port, and 13 minor ports. The state is seeking private investment to improve operations and reduce logistics costs for regional businesses. Anchored by New Mangalore Port, the maritime cluster provides Karnataka with access to the Arabian Sea and supports port-led development along the western coast.
The development programme also includes river tourism and urban water transport initiatives along the Gurupura and Nethravati rivers. These projects are intended to create connected tourism routes and improve urban mobility by water, complementing port development with a broader approach to coastal and inland waterway infrastructure.
The initiative is based on the Karnataka Maritime Development Policy, which has identified 13 locations for maritime infrastructure development. They are Karwar, Belekeri, Keni, Tadri, Pavinakurve, Honnavar, Manki, Bhatkal, Kundapur, Hangarkatta, Malpe, Padubidri and Old Mangalore Port. The policy replaces the Karnataka Minor Ports Development Policy of 2014 and covers maritime tourism, greenfield ports, fisheries, industrial development, logistics and near-shore wind farms for renewable energy.
Implementation will be a key consideration for investors and industrial users. Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) has sought deeper port access to accommodate larger ships and reduce operating costs. The proposed PPP structure may reduce pressure on state finances, although improvements in logistics efficiency will depend on the pace of execution and how closely projects match the requirements of large industrial users.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.