Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government has proposed a 42-storey landmark tower in the city, tentatively named ‘Mangaluru Eye’, as part of its plans to expand tourism infrastructure along the coast.
The proposed tower will rise 200 metres on a five-acre plot belonging to the Horticulture Department near Kadri. It is planned under a public-private partnership (PPP) model at an estimated cost of ₹350 crore, according to the blueprint submitted to the Karnataka Tourism Department.
The project was discussed during the Karnataka Cabinet’s first meeting in Mangaluru on September 18, with Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, Dakshina Kannada district minister U.T. Khader and Minister for Small Scale Industries and Public Enterprises Vijayanand S. Kashappanavar unveiling the project poster.
Mangaluru Eye planned as tourism landmark
The proposed tower is intended to become a major tourist attraction offering panoramic views of Mangaluru and its coastline.
According to the project blueprint, the 42-storey structure will include a lighthouse on the 42nd floor, an open terrace, observation decks and a two-level gallery offering 360-degree views of the city. A skywalk, food court and revolving restaurant are also part of the proposed design.
The government has described the project as part of its broader effort to strengthen tourism infrastructure and attract private investment to coastal Karnataka.
The proposal is among several tourism and infrastructure initiatives discussed during the special Cabinet meeting held in Mangaluru.
Five acres of Horticulture Department land identified
The government has identified around five acres of Horticulture Department land near Kadri Park for the proposed tower.
According to U.T. Khader, the government is considering transferring the land for the project. A blueprint for the tower was prepared around 18 months ago with the assistance of an architect, he said.
The proposed location would place the tower within the urban area of Mangaluru and give visitors views across the city and towards the coast.
However, the project will require further planning and implementation steps before construction can begin, including arrangements for the proposed land transfer and selection of a private partner.
Project to follow PPP model
The government plans to develop Mangaluru Eye through a public-private partnership rather than relying entirely on public funding.
Under the proposed arrangement, private investment would be encouraged through viability gap funding (VGF) and a revenue-sharing model. The approach is intended to make the project financially viable for a private developer while retaining its tourism-oriented character.
The estimated project cost is ₹350 crore.
Once construction begins, the tower is expected to take at least three years to complete, according to the report.
The use of the PPP model is consistent with the State government’s wider approach to several tourism projects approved or proposed for coastal Karnataka.
Tower to feature 360-degree observation gallery
One of the major attractions planned at Mangaluru Eye is a two-level observation gallery designed to provide visitors with a 360-degree view.
The tower is also expected to have an open terrace and observation decks, allowing visitors to view different parts of Mangaluru from considerable height.
A revolving restaurant and food court are planned as additional visitor-oriented facilities, while the lighthouse on the top floor is intended to form part of the tower’s visual identity.
The combination of observation facilities, dining and recreational spaces is expected to give the project a tourism and commercial component rather than making it solely an observation tower.
Government links project to coastal tourism
The Mangaluru Eye proposal comes as the Karnataka Government rolls out a wider development package for coastal Karnataka.
At its September 18 Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, the State approved or gave in-principle approval for several projects involving tourism, fisheries, healthcare, roads, water supply and urban infrastructure. The broader package was reported at around ₹32,611 crore.
The Cabinet also approved the Coastal-Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy 2026, under which tourism projects are to receive infrastructure-project treatment and investors could access incentives and longer repayment periods.
Other proposals included development of coastal islands, a 343-km coastal ferry system connecting 12 centres and tourism projects along the Gurupura River and other coastal locations.
Mangaluru Eye is therefore being proposed as part of a larger strategy to develop the coastal region as a tourism destination.
Project expected to generate economic activity
U.T. Khader said the proposed tower could help place Mangaluru on the global tourism map while contributing to employment, trade and business activity in the region.
The project could create direct employment during construction and later generate jobs through tourism, hospitality, food services and maintenance once operational.
A major observation tower could also become an additional destination for visitors travelling to Mangaluru, alongside existing attractions such as beaches, religious sites, heritage locations and nearby coastal destinations.
The actual economic impact, however, will depend on the project’s final design, investment structure, construction and eventual visitor numbers.
Environmental and civic concerns raised
The proposal has also attracted criticism from some quarters.
Artist and environmentalist Dinesh Holla questioned the need for the tower and argued that the city should first address existing civic concerns, including roads, drainage, garbage management, water issues and rising heat.
His concerns highlight a broader question around how urban development priorities should be balanced with large tourism infrastructure projects.
The government, meanwhile, has presented the project as part of its efforts to attract investment and expand Mangaluru’s tourism potential.
The environmental and civic implications of the project would need to be assessed through the relevant planning and approval processes before construction.
Mangaluru Eye part of larger coastal development plan
The tower proposal comes at a time when the government is planning several major infrastructure and tourism projects across coastal Karnataka.
Apart from Mangaluru Eye, the Cabinet has approved proposals involving coastal ferry services, island tourism, fisheries infrastructure, healthcare facilities and road development.
The State has also proposed developing islands in Mangaluru, Udupi and Uttara Kannada through PPP or DBFOT models, while tourism infrastructure is planned around several coastal destinations.
The Mangaluru Eye could therefore become one of the more prominent urban components of this wider coastal development programme.
Construction timeline yet to begin
Although the project has been proposed and a location identified, construction has not yet begun.
The government is considering the transfer of Horticulture Department land and plans to attract private investment through the PPP model. Further steps will be required before the project moves into construction.
Once work begins, officials expect the 200-metre tower to take at least three years to complete.
The final design, private partner, construction schedule and other implementation details will become clearer as the project moves through the approval and tendering process.
Mangaluru Eye at a glance
- Project: Mangaluru Eye
- Location: Kadri, Mangaluru
- Land: Five acres of Horticulture Department property
- Height: 200 metres
- Structure: 42 storeys
- Estimated cost: ₹350 crore
- Model: Public-private partnership
- Planned facilities: Lighthouse, observation decks, 360-degree gallery, skywalk, open terrace, food court and revolving restaurant
- Expected construction period: At least three years after work begins
The proposed Mangaluru Eye is set to be one of the city’s most ambitious tourism infrastructure projects if it moves ahead as planned. Its progress will depend on land arrangements, private investment, approvals and the eventual execution of the PPP model.