MANGALURU: The Government of Karnataka has invited bids to develop a commercial office technology park project in Mangaluru under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The project, estimated to cost ₹135 crore, is expected to generate over 11,000 direct and indirect jobs, marking a major milestone in the state’s ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative to expand technology-driven growth beyond the capital.
Project details and structure
The Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation (KEONICS) has floated the tender for the proposed development, which will follow a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model. Officials said the tender is likely to be finalised by December 2025.
The technology park will come up on a 3.285-acre site along Blueberry Hills Road in Derebail, less than one kilometre from National Highway 66 (NH-66).
According to the tender document, the total achievable built-up area under the base Floor Area Ratio (FAR) is 3,52,156 sq ft, with developers allowed to expand using premium FAR and Transferable Development Rights (TDR). The construction period for the minimum development area is projected to be three years.
Grade-A commercial infrastructure
The proposed technology park will feature Grade-A office spaces equipped with advanced amenities such as meeting rooms, cafeterias, recreation areas, and conference halls. About 75 per cent of the built-up area, including parking, will be devoted to commercial office use, while the remaining space will host retail, hospitality, and F&B facilities, including food courts, event halls, hotels, and serviced apartments.
Officials said the development aims to attract IT, ITeS, and co-working companies, offering cost-efficient alternatives to Tier-1 cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
Strategic location and potential
KEONICS officials described the Derebail site as a rapidly developing commercial corridor adjacent to the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) campus in Mangaluru. The post-pandemic revival of the city’s commercial office market, driven by tech companies and startups, has made the region a strong contender for investment.
The coastal city currently houses over 15,000 IT professionals, 200-plus startups, and 50–60 local tech enterprises, including major employers such as Infosys, Cognizant, and Tech Mahindra.
Minister’s statement and economic impact
Karnataka IT-BT Minister Priyank Kharge said the project represents the state’s ongoing efforts to build a robust innovation ecosystem outside Bengaluru.
“The state cabinet approved the proposal for the development of a new Technology Park at Blueberry Hills, Mangaluru. Spread across 3.28 acres, this ₹135 crore project under the PPP model will create over 11,000 direct and indirect jobs,” he said.
Kharge added that Mangaluru contributes about 5.5 per cent to Karnataka’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), underscoring its importance as an emerging technology and industrial hub.
“As part of our Local Economic Acceleration Program (LEAP), which aims to localise and scale Karnataka’s IT ecosystem, this Grade-A tech park with plug-and-play facilities will transform Mangaluru into a high-growth innovation corridor,” he noted.
Regional advantages and connectivity
Mangaluru’s strong industrial base and connectivity provide a major advantage for the upcoming project. The city serves as a key industrial and knowledge hub on India’s west coast, hosting major port operations, refineries, and industrial parks.
It is home to premier institutions such as the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NIT-K), Surathkal, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), and Kasturba Medical College (KMC), ensuring a steady supply of skilled professionals.
The city enjoys excellent connectivity via five national highways, two major railway stations, and the Mangalore International Airport. Ongoing infrastructure developments — including the airport runway expansion, proposed ring road, Bengaluru–Mangaluru Expressway, and Export Promotion Industrial Park (EPIP) — are set to further boost accessibility and business potential.
Driving growth beyond Bengaluru
Officials emphasised that the Mangaluru tech park will serve as a flagship project under the state’s Beyond Bengaluru initiative, which aims to decentralise the technology ecosystem, promote regional employment, and reduce pressure on Bengaluru’s urban infrastructure.
By leveraging Mangaluru’s strategic location, cost advantage, and talent pool, the project is expected to position the city as a key tech and innovation hub on India’s western coast, complementing Karnataka’s broader digital economy goals.