The government of Karnataka is pursuing a coastal economic zone (CEZ) project in an about 50 km stretch along the west coast to make the Karwar-Ankola region a hub for economic development.
The proposed CEZ project will incorporate works that were already in the pipeline for air, water and rail connectivity, including development of the Belekeri port, a civil enclave at the planned Karwar naval airport and the Hubballi-Ankola railway line.
The state’s Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) has prepared the proposal streamlining major infrastructure projects in the region, which will give a push to the development potential of Karwar and attract investors.
The department plans to develop Belekeri port under public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The state has already got in-principle approval from the Indian Navy to develop a civil enclave on a runway that the navy has planned to build at Ankola near the Belekeri port. The runway will allow operation of civil aircraft with 19 to 72 seat capacity.
While the Konkan Railway line connecting Mumbai and Mangaluru already passes through the proposed CEZ stretch, the state has also cleared the Hubballi-Ankola railway project. It is awaiting approval from the National Board for Wildlife.
The proposal will have to now get in-principle approval from the state government to set up the CEZ and declare it as a planning area. It also needs allocation of funds for preliminary activities.