Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar starts day with visit to Mangaluru fishing harbour

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Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar holding a fish caught by a fisherman during his visit to Mangaluru fishing harbour on September 19, 2026. | Photo Credit: H S Manjunath

The government of Karnataka is pursuing a new development path for Mangaluru. “The Mangaluru region is the treasure of the nation. The State Government is committed to protect and develop the region,” said Chief Minister D.K.Shivakumar in Manglauru on September 19.

The Chief Minister was in Mangaluru for the Cabinet meeting , which was held on September 18 at Praja Soudha in Padil.

The Chief Minister visited Mangaluru fishing harbour in the morning and took a boat ride to the estuary. Later, he told reporters that the government has framed four new policies for Mangaluru. An investment of ₹32,000 crore will be made in the region. While ₹16,000 crore will be for rural development projects, which will be implemented by panchayats, the remaining ₹16,000 crore will be for tourism infrasture development.

Karnataka’s Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar inspects the ongoing development work during a visit to Mangaluru Fishing Harbour, in Dakshina Kannada district, on September 19, 2026. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The government will encourage private enterprises to invest in creating tourism infrastructure. It is looking for people to come forward to provide their land for building five-star hotels and other tourist infrastructure on PPP model. The tourism development projects will be implemented in a time-bound manner.

The visit to the harbour was unscheduled. “Our officials, or the police, have forced fishermen to stop their activities during my visit. I am unhappy with this action. I have told the Deputy Commissioner and Police Commissioner to inquire if any official had stopped work at the harbour, I will suspend the official,” he said and added that activities in the fishing harbour should not be stopped for any reason.

Mr. Shivakumar went in a fishing boat, along with district In-charge Minister U.T. Khader and other officials to the spot in the estuary where a fishing boat overturned recently and 12 fishermen were rescued . “Mr. Khader explained the cause for overturning of the boat,” he said and added that fishermen have sought dredging of accumulated sand at the estuary.

A committee of the Central Government will be asked to look into the way dredging of sand can be done. The government will consider having its own dredging unit, he said.

Following representations by fishermen’s organisations, Mr. Khader said the CM visited the harbour early in the morning to get firsthand knowledge of the problems faced in catching and selling fish, and about lack of space for anchoring small fishing boats.

“This community operating along Karnataka’s coastline is very resourceful. The government is committed to protect the community and address their concerns,” the CM said.

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