Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 2: In a major boost to Karnataka’s ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative, the state government has invited bids under a public-private partnership model to establish a state-of-the-art Tech Park in Mangaluru.
The project, being spearheaded by the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS), is expected to generate employment for around 11,000 people and transform Mangaluru into the state’s next major tech hub.
The tender process for the project is underway and is expected to be finalised by December. The park will be developed under the ‘Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer’ (DBFOT) model.
The proposed Tech Park will come up on 3.285 acres of land near Blueberry Hills Road in Derebail, less than a kilometre from National Highway 66.
The site, already home to the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) campus, has been identified as a prime location. Unlike regular tech parks, this facility will feature Grade-A office spaces with modern amenities including meeting rooms, cafeterias, recreation zones, and conference halls.
About 75% of the total built-up area will be dedicated to commercial office spaces, while the remaining 25% will include food courts, retail outlets, hotels, and serviced apartments.
The project permits construction of 3.52 lac sq ft of floor area, with scope for expansion under Premium FAR and Transferable Development Rights (TDR). The development is expected to take around three years.
IT-BT minister Priyank Kharge said the new Tech Park reflects the government’s commitment to building a strong innovation ecosystem across Karnataka. He added that the project, approved by the state cabinet, will help Mangaluru emerge as a high-growth corridor under the Local Economic Acceleration Programme (LEAP).
Currently, Mangaluru contributes around 5.5% to Karnataka’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and has been witnessing rapid growth in the IT, fintech, and marine technology sectors.
With premier institutions like NITK Surathkal, Manipal Institute of Technology, and Kasturba Medical College, the city also has a strong talent base. Excellent connectivity through ports, national highways, railways, and an international airport further enhances its potential.
Upcoming projects like the airport runway expansion, ring road, and the Bengaluru–Mangaluru Expressway are expected to strengthen the region’s infrastructure further.
In addition to the Mangaluru project, the state government has approved investments worth over Rs 27,000 crore by 11 companies across various districts, expected to create nearly 9,000 jobs.
Among them, SFX India will invest Rs 9,298 crore in Bengaluru Rural (806 jobs), QPIAI India Rs 1,136 crore (200 jobs), and JSW’s two projects in Ballari Rs 8,402 crore (1,171 jobs). Reliance will invest Rs 1,622 crore in Vijayapura (1,200 jobs), while companies like Schneider Electric, Toyota Industries, and Tejas Networks will invest Rs 3,392 crore in Bengaluru Urban (2,412 jobs).
In other districts, Wind Assets will invest Rs 1,251 crore in Chamarajanagar (1,912 jobs), Grasim Rs 1,386 crore in Haveri (203 jobs), and HSS Textile Rs 740 crore in Shivamogga (800 jobs).
With these developments, the Karnataka government aims to expand tech-led growth beyond Bengaluru and create balanced economic opportunities across the state.