Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced several measures to promote infrastructure development, tourism, and investment in the state's coastal and Malnad regions. He also told the Astamida Isiri cultural programme, organised by the Tulu Nadu Javaneer organisation in Bengaluru, that the government would extend the repayment period for bank loans related to projects in the area. It comes just weeks after the state government approved a special tourism policy as well as several development initiatives in coastal Karnataka.
Shivakumar said the heavy rainfall in coastal and Malnad areas has naturally increased the cost of maintaining infrastructure. The government aims to create an environment in which investors can undertake projects without being burdened with excessive financial pressure in the initial stages, he said. Tourism projects are also to be treated as infrastructure-project-oriented under the Coastal-Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026 with incentives to attract investment and to give investors more time to repay loans.
Shivakumar talked about Dakshina Kannada being the place to be for knowledge, environmental resources, as well as the extensive coastline. He stressed that the district is central to trade, education and religious tourism, and the government is still trying to maintain its history while developing it. He also said the administration would work on the infrastructure to develop the economy and tourism in the coastal belt.
One of the major announcements made by the Chief Minister was the introduction of a water metro-style transport system in the coastal region. Shivakumar said approval has been given for a water metro facility like Kerala's to be built. Now it will be developed for water-based passenger transport (people can travel through water like regular bus services). He also said that orders have been issued for port and other inland infrastructure development plans. The government has also been talking about sea-linked transportation in Mangaluru and infrastructure for the coastal economy.
The Chief Minister also spoke at length about the importance of preserving Tulu language and culture. Kannada is the mother tongue, and Tulu is its daughter, he said, and the survival of any language is closely related to the preservation of its cultural practices. The Chief Minister spoke on the day the Karnataka Cabinet selected Tulu as the second additional administrative language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts as a result of the long-standing demand of Tulu speakers.
The topic of changing the name of Dakshina Kannada district to Mangaluru district also came up in the Chief Minister's speech. Shivakumar said he had already had legislators and parliamentarians give their views on the proposal. He said the government will give the public one month to comment and give its views before taking any final decision.
The government has said that a draft notification would be issued and public feedback would be considered before making a final decision. Shivakumar said ordinary people, writers, prominent personalities and political leaders could all express their views through social media or any other platform during the consultation period. The government will consider the responses before making any decision on the proposed change.
The Chief Minister’s comments follow a wider development at the Karnataka Cabinet's special meeting in Mangaluru. Development proposals worth around ₹32,611 crore for coastal regions were approved with the support of the Cabinet, and that includes significant funding for rural development and infrastructure. The Cabinet also endorsed the Coastal-Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026 and measures relating to fisheries and marine development.
This is followed by the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy 2026-31 through the government. Under the policy, the state will develop a Fisheries, Marine and Blue Economy University by upgrading an existing institution and will also expand the student population. These are the steps taken in the government’s strategy to link coastal infrastructure, fisheries, tourism, education and investment as part of the government’s larger plan to connect coastal infrastructure, fisheries, tourism, education and investment.
Shivakumar also stressed that development work should be the focus of the government at a cultural event in spite of all political criticism. The administration is committed to working with people in the coastal region that is still on the move and to preserve its cultural identity and improve infrastructure and economic opportunities, he said. Tourism incentives, longer loan repayment periods, water transport proposals, and the district’s name to be discussed will keep coastal Karnataka’s development agenda in the spotlight in the coming months.
