The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has appealed to the Karnataka government to set up an integrated multimodal logistics park in Mangaluru to leverage its strategic location.

  • KCCI has submitted a memorandum to CM D.K. Shivakumar seeking a multimodal logistics park.
  • Mangaluru's proximity to Dubai and Singapore makes it a strategic global hub.
  • Request to reallocate 450 acres of unused JESCO and KISCO land to MSMEs.
  • Urgent need for infrastructure upgrades in Baikampady Industrial Area.

Ahead of the state government's first Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has made a formal appeal to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar. The chamber is seeking the development of an integrated or multimodal logistics park to capitalize on the city's unique economic advantages.

KCCI President P.B. Ahmed Mudassar highlighted that Mangaluru's strategic location offers unparalleled connectivity. With international markets like Dubai and Singapore being less than a five-hour flight away, and robust sea, air, and road links, the city is poised to become a premier logistics node supporting major hubs like Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that a dedicated logistics park would create a massive ecosystem for mechanized warehousing, cold storage, customs clearance, and Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations. This would transition Mangaluru from a regional port city to a critical player in the global supply chain.

Establishing a multimodal park will bridge the gap between local production and international markets.

The KCCI also addressed long-standing land issues. The delay in acquiring 1,050 acres in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada has hampered the growth of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Furthermore, the chamber pointed out that approximately 400 acres of JESCO land and 50 acres of KISCO land have remained unutilized for over three decades, urging the government to reallocate these to MSMEs.

Infrastructure and Industrial Growth

Infrastructure concerns in the Baikampady Industrial Area were also raised. KCCI noted that the proposed ₹50-crore water treatment plant by KIADB lacks a supporting underground drainage system, rendering it potentially ineffective. Additionally, the chamber emphasized the need for underground power cabling and the urgent repair of unmotorable roads to facilitate the smooth movement of goods.

Did You Know?: Mangaluru hosts the state's only all-weather deep-draft port, providing a massive advantage for maritime trade.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What facilities would the proposed logistics park provide?
It would include mechanized warehouses, cold storage, customs clearance, and MRO services.

2. Why is the land in JESCO and KISCO an issue?
Nearly 450 acres have been sitting idle for 30 years, representing lost economic opportunity for the MSME sector.