State to form Mangaluru Design Council; stakeholders named
Mangaluru — The Government of Karnataka will launch a Mangaluru Design Council to act as a think tank advising on urban design and planning, the Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister, L.K. Atheeq, said on Wednesday at the sixth edition of Mangaluru Technovanza held at the T.M.A. Pai International Convention Centre.
Speaking at a session titled ‘Policy, Industry, and Capital for Mangaluru’, Mr. Atheeq underlined the need to focus on traffic management, infrastructure provision and its maintenance as the city expands. He said the council will initially comprise eight stakeholders drawn from chambers, industry bodies and professional associations.
"Mangaluru Design Council will act like a think tank for urban design and planning. The council will have eight stakeholders as of now," said L.K. Atheeq, Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister.
Mr. Atheeq listed some of the stakeholders who will form part of the council, including the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CREDAI Mangaluru, the Architects Association, the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Engineers Association and the Coastal Tourism Development Council. The council is expected to advise government departments on urban design interventions and planning priorities as Mangaluru grows.
Land identified for IT parks, data centres and industry
Atheeq also outlined land parcels in Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring Udupi district that could be developed for an IT park and industries. He said the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has issued a final notification for acquisition and development of 350 acres at Balkunje, of which about 100 acres could be carved out for an IT or technology park.
Further, Mr. Atheeq said the New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) has 350 acres of undeveloped land that could be opened up on lease or rent-sharing terms. He added that land near Padubidri is also available, and that of the roughly 40 acres in Tannirbavi, 20 acres are presently available for development.
| Location | Total land (acres) | Potential for IT/industry (acres) |
|---|---|---|
| Balkunje (KIADB) | 350 | ~100 |
| New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) | 350 | Not specified (available for lease/rent-share) |
| Tannirbavi | ~40 | ~20 |
Implications for urban growth and industry
The proposals come under the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission’s broader ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative, which seeks to decentralise IT and digital infrastructure development beyond the state capital. B. V. Naidu, chairman of the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), organised the Technovanza session.
Local stakeholders — including chambers of commerce, developers and professional associations — are expected to play a role through the Design Council in shaping priorities such as traffic management, zoning, environmental safeguards, public utilities and the phasing of infrastructure development.
- Urban design oversight: The council is intended to provide expert advice on design and planning measures as Mangaluru expands.
- Land for IT and industry: Multiple land parcels have been identified, signalling potential for new jobs and investment in coastal Karnataka.
- Implementation challenges: Atheeq noted the need for ‘plug-and-play’ facilities and data centre infrastructure, indicating that enabling utilities and clearances will be crucial.
While the announcement sets a policy direction, concrete timelines for the operationalisation of the Design Council, the detailed masterplanning of the proposed IT park at Balkunje, and modalities for NMPA land allocation were not specified at the session. The statement noted only that development could proceed either on lease or through rent-sharing arrangements.
For Mangaluru residents, the combined focus on a design council and identified land parcels signals a shift towards planned urban expansion and targeted economic development outside Bengaluru. The success of these measures will depend on coordination between state agencies, local civic bodies, industry partners and professional institutions to ensure infrastructure, environmental safeguards and traffic management keep pace with growth.
The sixth Mangaluru Technovanza at the T.M.A. Pai International Convention Centre brought together policymakers, industry and local bodies to discuss these issues under the ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ mission.
