Karnataka Cabinet to meet in Mangaluru to discuss coastal development

The Karnataka State Cabinet is scheduled to hold a meeting in Mangaluru on September 18, marking the first time the body will convene in coastal Karnataka. Chaired by Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, the session is expected to address several critical regional demands regarding infrastructure, tourism, and cultural recognition.

Key issues on the agenda include the potential granting of official language status to Tulu and the proposal to rename the Dakshina Kannada district as ‘Mangaluru District’. Regional leaders, including MP Brijesh Chowta, have urged the government to include regional MPs in the Karnataka State Maritime Board and the Special Coastal Tourism Development Authority to better coordinate maritime and tourism projects.

Infrastructure demands focus on railway connectivity, specifically the track doubling on the Mangaluru-Bengaluru route and the merger of the Konkan Railway with Indian Railways. In the tourism sector, stakeholders are advocating for the creation of artificial reefs to combat sea erosion and support local fisheries and scuba diving activities.