Mangaluru, 13 September 2026: With the Karnataka Cabinet scheduled to meet in Mangaluru on September 18, a broad set of development demands for Coastal Karnataka has been placed before Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, including a proposed ₹5,000 crore special economic package for the region.
Legislative Council member and KPCC working president Manjunath Bhandary has submitted a detailed memorandum seeking that major long-pending demands concerning infrastructure, employment, fisheries, tourism, education, sports and coastal protection be included in the Cabinet agenda.
According to Bhandary, the Chief Minister has responded to the memorandum and directed the Chief Secretary to examine its key proposals and take necessary steps for their consideration in the Cabinet agenda. Proposals go beyond a single sector and seek a broader development strategy for Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and other coastal areas.
Jobs and skill development at the centre
One of the proposals is for an Advanced Skill Development Centre in Mangaluru, aimed at providing industry-oriented practical training to around 50,000 students from 25 engineering, polytechnic, ITI and hotel-management institutions in the coastal region.
Objective is to improve access to local employment and self-employment opportunities, particularly for young people who increasingly look outside the region for jobs. For a region with a large student population and a strong service, tourism, engineering and hospitality ecosystem, the proposal could become an important test of whether coastal development can translate into local employment opportunities.
Fisheries sector seeks major expansion
Fisheries feature prominently in the memorandum. Bhandary has sought that the Mangaluru Fisheries College be upgraded into a separate Fisheries University, with greater emphasis on aquaculture, marine science, fish processing and value-addition technologies. Memorandum also proposes a Karnataka Fisheries Council to coordinate the development of the sector and an advanced Aquapark in Mangaluru to promote aquaculture, fish farming, processing and markets.
Among the welfare demands are an increase in compensation for families of fishermen who die while fishing from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh, higher diesel subsidy for fishing boats and modern cold-storage and refrigeration facilities at major fishing centres.
Permanent solution sought for coastal erosion
Coastal erosion remains one of the most persistent challenges facing communities along the Karnataka coast. Memorandum calls for scientific studies and permanent protective measures, including suitable sea walls and other coastal-protection works, instead of relying only on temporary interventions.
For coastal communities, the issue is not merely about protecting beaches. Erosion can affect homes, roads, fishing infrastructure, tourism assets and livelihoods.
Tourism corridor proposed
Memorandum also proposes a Coastal Temple Tourism Corridor connecting major religious destinations including Gokarna, Murudeshwar, Kollur, Udupi Sri Krishna Matha, Sringeri, Horanadu, Kukke Subrahmanya, Dharmasthala and Mangaladevi.
Another proposal is for a well-developed coastal-parallel road from Talapady in Dakshina Kannada to Baindur in Udupi district, along with the development of a 150-acre coastal tourism zone and encouragement for private investment in international-standard hotels on the lines of Bekal in Kerala. A convention centre in Mangaluru and children's parks have also been proposed.
Brahmavar agriculture institution upgrade proposed
In the education sector, the memorandum seeks the upgrading of the agriculture/horticulture diploma college at Brahmavar in Udupi district into an Agricultural University. Proposal points to the availability of around 342 acres of land and infrastructure reportedly valued at ₹20 crore. It seeks an additional ₹10 crore and appointment of 10 teaching staff on a contract basis to start degree-level education.
New sports university proposed
Another proposal is for a Bharat Jodo Sports University at Belapu in Udupi district, with participation from the Higher Education Department, Visvesvaraya Technological University, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences and CSR funding.
The memorandum also seeks Cabinet approval for the proposed ₹7-crore Late Oscar Fernandes Kabaddi Stadium at the Udupi District Stadium complex. Separate funding for sports infrastructure and equipment in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi has also been sought.
Focus on Pilikula
Pilikula has received a separate set of proposals. Memorandum seeks formal transfer of the 356 acres leased to the Pilikula Development Authority from the Revenue Department to the Department of Science and Technology, its conversion into a board and appointment of a full-time chairman. It also seeks immediate release of the remaining ₹12.60 crore for the Urban Eco Park project, which has reportedly been stalled because of lack of funds.
Cultural heritage also part of the package
Memorandum calls for a minimum annual special grant of ₹10 crore for preservation and promotion of coastal Karnataka's cultural traditions. Proposed support covers Yakshagana, Bayalata, traditional and modern forms of Kambala and folk traditions associated with communities including Koraga, Marathi Naik and Kudubi communities.
What will reach the Cabinet agenda?
Sheer breadth of the proposals raises a larger question ahead of the September 18 Cabinet meeting: Will the coastal Cabinet session produce concrete financial and administrative decisions, or will several of these demands remain proposals?
₹5,000 crore special package is perhaps the most significant demand, but the practical impact on ordinary people will depend on how the government prioritises individual projects.
For Coastal Karnataka, the immediate priorities are clear - jobs, protection from coastal erosion, stronger fisheries infrastructure, better connectivity, tourism investment and opportunities for young people.
September 18 meeting could therefore become more than a symbolic Cabinet session in Mangaluru. It could provide an indication of how seriously the government intends to address the region's long-standing development demands.
Keywords: Coastal Karnataka, ₹5,000 crore package, Mangaluru Cabinet meeting, Manjunath Bhandary, coastal development, Karnataka government, Citizen News Puttur