A file photograph of scenic Netrani Island, also known as Pigeon Island, which is already attracting tourists to the region.
Bengaluru: Karnataka is preparing to unlock a new tourism frontier along its largely unexplored Arabian Sea coastline, with the state govt clearing an ambitious ₹307.71-crore plan to transform seven islands off the Uttara Kannada coast into world-class tourism destinations. Collectively, the seven islands span 135.04 acres, of which 59.31 acres have been earmarked for development.
Sources in the infrastructure development, ports and inland water transport department told TOI that the seven islands identified for the world-class makeover are Madhyalingad (Sanyasi), Hog, Devgad (Oyster), Mongeraguda, Kiri Kunda, Ankani Cheggudu and Kurumgad. “The remaining area will be assessed through carrying-capacity studies to determine the extent of permissible tourism activity, including accommodation and recreational facilities,” a senior officer explained. As per the notification, the state govt envisages developing six greenfield islands and one brownfield island across Karwar , Bhatkal and Ankola taluks through a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model. The ambitious project aims to harness the tourism potential of the Arabian Sea coastline through private investment and planned infrastructure development on this select group of islands.
In a move that could reshape the coastal tourism landscape, govt on Tuesday notified a series of island development projects under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, seeking to put Karnataka’s coastal treasures on the global tourism map.
Among the seven islands, Devgad (Oyster) off Karwar accounts for the biggest proposed investment at ₹74.99 crore, followed by Hog island in Bhatkal at ₹59.99 crore. Madhyalingad (Sanyasi) is expected to attract ₹45 crore, Kurumgad ₹39.76 crore, Ankani Cheggudu ₹36 crore, Mongeraguda ₹27.98 crore and Kiri Kunda ₹23.99 crore. An infographic detailing Karnataka’s ambitious ₹307.71-crore plan to develop seven islands off the Uttara Kannada coast into world-class tourism destinations. “As per our initial estimates, the seven islands are expected to accommodate 318 hotel keys, with a combined carrying capacity of 2,606 tourists a day. The concession period will be 30 years, with a provision for an additional 30-year extension, subject to approvals and prescribed conditions. The combined annual concession fee payable during the first year has been estimated at ₹8.70 crore, while indicative revenue accruals to the authority through revenue sharing over the concession period have been pegged at ₹145.87 crore.
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“While Kurumgad has been identified as a brownfield island, the remaining six are classified as greenfield islands,” an engineer from the department explained. The scale of the proposed transformation is reflected in the tourism infrastructure envisaged. The government hopes to leverage the region’s natural attractions to create a new tourism economy along the coast,” the official explained. Under the proposed framework, private developers will be selected through competitive bidding, with the highest revenue-sharing offer serving as the principal bidding parameter. Karnataka Maritime Board will oversee the projects. The state is also expecting financial returns from the initiative. However, govt has made it clear that the proposed makeover cannot come at the cost of ecological safeguards. Developers will have to prepare Integrated Island Management Plans (IIMPs) and secure the necessary statutory clearances, including environmental and forest approvals wherever applicable. Carrying-capacity assessments will also determine the extent of development permitted on the islands, the notification stated. With the global tourism industry increasingly looking towards distinctive coastal and island destinations, Karnataka is seeking to transform an underexplored stretch of its Arabian Sea coastline into a major tourism and economic asset. If implemented as envisaged, the initiative could bring seven relatively lesser-known islands into the international spotlight and mark a significant shift in the state’s approach to coastal tourism. Download the TOI App.
