New Mangalore Port (NMP) is connected to Belagavi through two rail routes - via Goa and via Arsikere-Hassan. As regards the road connectivity, NMP is well connected to Belagavi by National Highway (NH)-66, NH-52 and NH-48.

14 Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) have been identified under the Sagarmala Programme to promote port-led industrial development. Dakshin Kannada CEZ is one of the CEZs being served by the NMP. This region has a presence of petrochemical units that have witnessed growth due to large EXIM vessels berthing at NMP.

In the state of Karnataka, a total of 9 projects have been completed for port modernization at the NMP covering capacity expansion, new infrastructure, mechanization, technology upgradation and allotment of land for port led industries. The details of these projects are tabled below.
                                                                                                                                         Table-I

Sl. No	Name of Project	Total cost (in crore)
1	Construction of berth 18 in western dock Arm at New Mangalore Port (NMP)	94.00
2	Implementation of RFID at NMP	6.17
3	Mechanisation of Berth 16 for handling bulk cargo at NMP	469.00
4	Development of 30 acres of stack yard and ancillary roads for parking of Ro-Ro cargoes and cars - NMP	22.00
5	Implementation of Mobile X-Ray Container Scanner at NMP	40.00
6	Mechanization of Berth 14 and Backup area for handling Container Terminal at NMP	258.00
7	Installation of Fire Fighting Equipment at Karwar Port in Karnataka	18.21
8	Mechanised handling of coal at berth no.15 at NMP	230
9	Land allotment to private sector on lease for setting up port-led industries at NMP	1198
Total		2,335

In addition, Karnataka Maritime Board has also undertaken various initiatives for modernisation, mechanization and development across major ports in the state of Karnataka. This includes berths at Karwar port, Old Mangalore port (Bengre and City Side), and Malpe port in PPP mode, development of Pavinakurve, Manki and Padubidri ports, Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS) and International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code at Karwar port.

Under the Sagarmala programme, a total of 24 rail and road connectivity projects costing Rs. 44,433 crore have been undertaken in the state of Karnataka out of which, 4 projects costing Rs. 414 crore have been completed. These completed projects at NMP have significantly reduced cargo evacuation time, especially in the case of cargo like coal and iron ore.

The Union Cabinet, in its meeting held on 24.09.2025, approved Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) for capacity and capability development for shipbuilding in India. The scheme with a corpus of ₹19,989 crore is designed to accelerate India’s shipbuilding capacity through targeted interventions for new infrastructure, modernization of existing facilities, and risk mitigation. One of the key components of the scheme is capital support for greenfield clusters for which ₹9,930 crore is allocated to create multiple shipbuilding clusters equipped with common maritime infrastructure such as breakwaters, channel and basin development, land reclamation, internal connectivity, and regional capability development centres.

The Ministry of Port, Shipping and Waterways has informed all the coastal states including Karnataka, requesting them to initiate necessary steps to establish greenfield shipbuilding clusters in their respective states as per scheme guidelines. The state of Karnataka is required to carry out requisite studies, formulate proposal for submission to implementing agency of the scheme i.e. Directorate General of Shipping, to process for further approval of the competent authority. 

This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

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MI/IY

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