Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Oct 10:  In a significant push to decentralise Karnataka's tech development and reduce the pressure on Bengaluru, the state cabinet has approved the setting up of a commercial office tech park in Mangaluru, under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.

The project will come up on 3.285 acres of land located on Blueberry Hills Road, Derebail in Mangaluru taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. The land falls under Survey Nos. 129 and 113, and the tech park will be developed on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis.

Minister for IT and Biotechnology Priyank Kharge, speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, October 9, said, “This marks a crucial step in taking IT infrastructure beyond Bengaluru. Mangaluru has the talent, institutions and infrastructure to support high-end tech growth. This park will create jobs and encourage local entrepreneurship.”

The land is owned by Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Limited (KEONICS), which had earlier announced plans to monetise its land holdings in emerging tech hubs across the state. In July 2024, it was reported that KEONICS had identified key locations in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, and Devanahalli (near Bengaluru airport) for commercial development.

The Mangaluru site, with its proximity to educational institutions, the airport, and port connectivity, is seen as a strategic location to attract IT companies and start-ups. Other KEONICS-identified locations include 5 acres in Mysuru’s Hebbal Industrial Estate, 37,028 sq ft in STPI Hubballi, and 12 acres in Devanahalli’s Aerospace Park.

The upcoming tech park is expected to act as a catalyst for the IT ecosystem in coastal Karnataka, providing opportunities for youth and aiding in the region’s economic diversification.