Karnataka is set to open bids for an IT Park and commercial office spaces in Mangaluru on December 15. The government initiated tenders for a public-private partnership (PPP) model, following a call for bids in late October.
IT/BT Minister Priyank Kharge made this announcement in response to Mangaluru City North MLA Bharath Shetty during the assembly session on Wednesday.
The minister stated that the government is actively working to boost investments in IT/BT across various regions in the state, including Mangaluru, Udupi, and Manipal. He mentioned that revisions to the tender guidelines may be made through discussions with local MLAs if necessary.
The project, estimated at Rs 135 crore, is a significant component of the state’s ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative. Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS) issued the tender in late October.
The tender document indicates that the winning bidder will receive government land on a 30-year lease via the Design–Build–Finance–Operate–Transfer (DBFOT) model, with an option to extend for another 30 years. The project spans 3.2 acres, located near Blueberry Hills Road in Derebail, less than a kilometer from National Highway 66.
Companies operating within the tech park will receive support for skill training, assistance with registrations, platforms at tech summits, and global branding opportunities from the state.
The minister expressed confidence that companies will opt for the government Tech Park, noting that a Denmark-based Global Capability Center (GCC) is already operational in Mangaluru, positioning the city as a burgeoning IT/BT hub.
The government is also exploring similar PPP-based IT/BT tech parks in regions like Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Ballari, and Kalaburagi as part of its broader strategy.
