Karnataka to develop 7 Arabian Sea islands off Uttara Kannada via ₹307.71-crore PPP, adding 310+ hotel rooms with eco clearances and capacity limits.
EditionININUSUKGCCEnglishEnglishहिन्दीमराठीಕನ್ನಡதமிழ்বাংলাമലയാളംతెలుగుગુજરાતીWeatherSign InTOIToday's ePaperLiveNewsCity Newsbengaluru NewsFrom hidden gems to global destinations: Karnataka plans makeover of 7 Arabian Sea islandsTrendingKarnataka Bus Fare RiseDelhi MurderBombay High CourtPune techie suicidePatanjali GheeMahadev Betting AppKarnataka Bus Fare RiseDelhi MurderBombay High CourtPune techie suicidePatanjali GheeMahadev Betting AppKarnataka Bus Fare RiseDelhi MurderBombay High CourtPune techie suicidePatanjali GheeMahadev Betting AppFrom hidden gems to global destinations: Karnataka plans makeover of 7 Arabian Sea islandsNiranjan Kaggere / Nov 04, 2026, 22:34 ISTCommentsShareAaText SizeSmallMediumLargePrint A file photograph of scenic Netrani Island, also known as Pigeon Island, which is already attracting tourists to the region.
Bengaluru: Island hopping could soon emerge as a major attraction in Karnataka’s tourism landscape, with the state government on Tuesday notifying seven islands off the Uttara Kannada coast for tourism infrastructure development under an ambitious ₹307.71-crore Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project.
The plan envisages creating around 310 hotel rooms across the islands, with a combined capacity to accommodate up to 2,800 tourists a day, as Karnataka seeks to transform its largely unexplored Arabian Sea coastline into a cluster of world-class tourism destinations and put it on the global tourism map.As per the notification, the state govt envisages developing six greenfield islands and one brownfield island across Karwar, Bhatkal and Ankola taluks through a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model.
The ambitious project aims to harness the tourism potential of the Arabian Sea coastline through private investment and planned infrastructure development on this select group of islands.Sources in the infrastructure development, ports and inland water transport department told TOI that the seven islands identified for the world-class makeover are Madhyalingad (Sanyasi), Hog, Devgad (Oyster), Mongeraguda, Kiri Kunda, Ankani Cheggudu and Kurumgad. Collectively, the seven islands span 135.04 acres, of which 59.31 acres have been earmarked for development.
“The remaining area will be assessed through carrying-capacity studies to determine the extent of permissible tourism activity, including accommodation and recreational facilities,” a senior officer explained.Among the seven islands, Devgad (Oyster) off Karwar accounts for the biggest proposed investment at ₹74.99 crore, followed by Hog island in Bhatkal at ₹59.99 crore. Madhyalingad (Sanyasi) is expected to attract ₹45 crore, Kurumgad ₹39.76 crore, Ankani Cheggudu ₹36 crore, Mongeraguda ₹27.98 crore and Kiri Kunda ₹23.99 crore.
“While Kurumgad has been identified as a brownfield island, the remaining six are classified as greenfield islands,” an engineer from the department explained.An infographic detailing Karnataka's ambitious ₹307.71-crore plan to develop seven islands off the Uttara Kannada coast into world-class tourism destinations.The scale of the proposed transformation is reflected in the tourism infrastructure envisaged. “As per our initial estimates, the seven islands are expected to accommodate 318 hotel keys, with a combined carrying capacity of 2,606 tourists a day.
The government hopes to leverage the region’s natural attractions to create a new tourism economy along the coast,” the official explained.Under the proposed framework, private developers will be selected through competitive bidding, with the highest revenue-sharing offer serving as the principal bidding parameter. The concession period will be 30 years, with a provision for an additional 30-year extension, subject to approvals and prescribed conditions. Karnataka Maritime Board will oversee the projects.The state is also expecting financial returns from the initiative.
The combined annual concession fee payable during the first year has been estimated at ₹8.70 crore, while indicative revenue accruals to the authority through revenue sharing over the concession period have been pegged at ₹145.87 crore.However, govt has made it clear that the proposed makeover cannot come at the cost of ecological safeguards. Developers will have to prepare Integrated Island Management Plans (IIMPs) and secure the necessary statutory clearances, including environmental and forest approvals wherever applicable.
Carrying-capacity assessments will also determine the extent of development permitted on the islands, the notification stated.With the global tourism industry increasingly looking towards distinctive coastal and island destinations, Karnataka is seeking to transform an underexplored stretch of its Arabian Sea coastline into a major tourism and economic asset.
If implemented as envisaged, the initiative could bring seven relatively lesser-known islands into the international spotlight and mark a significant shift in the state’s approach to coastal tourism.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in BengaluruStay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
Download the TOI App.About the AuthorNiranjan KaggereNiranjan Kaggere is a Senior Assistant Editor with over 20 years of experience and adept at writing, reporting on wide range of issues that affect society. Passionate about reporting on environment, wildlife, energy, history & state secretariat, his news reports deliver in-depth, engaging content to diverse audiences.
In free time, Niranjan sets out to forest, farms exploring the natural world.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPhotostoriesHot PicksTravis Kelce InvestmentKaty PerryKai TrumpMayor Craig TimmonsGeorgia company tax auctionDonald TrumpMaryland TrustUtah RancherArnold SchwarzeneggerVivek RamaswamyTop TrendingBengaluru Student CheatingSuresh RainaDelhi Air QualityAbdul El-SayedNavi Mumbai SuicideNeville D’Souza groundTelangana MurderKarnataka Bus Fare HikeStock Market LiveTusshar Kapoor ExtortionTired of too many ads?go ad free nowTrending StoriesIn BengaluruIn CityFrom hidden gems to global destinations: Karnataka plans makeover of 7 Arabian Sea islandsAfter embarrassing thrashing in MLC elections, Hiriyur byelections emerges as prestige battle for Congress and a test of unity for NDA allies BJP & JD(S)24-hour custody clock starts when liberty is curtailed, not when cops record arrest: Karnataka high courtLeaked gas from cylinder comes in contact with oil lamp, catches fire outside house door in Bengaluru‘Looking for exchange of best practices’, Karnataka govt urges private schools to play mentorDoctor calls fake customer care number after paying more for auto ride in Bengaluru, loses Rs 99kBengaluru woman calls fake customer care for refund of clothes, loses Rs 1 lakhCar hits pet dog on night walk in Bengaluru, diesBengaluru’s Saul Kere sewage treatment plant work resumes amid questions over tanks authority complianceOne year on, Karnataka’s skill policy focus is now on jobsBJP netas accuse party MLA of ‘tola’ from biryani joint, private hospitalAfter embarrassing thrashing in MLC elections, Hiriyur byelections emerges as prestige battle for Congress and a test of unity for NDA allies BJP & JD(S)Dia Mirza's Diwali video: BMC yet to re-upload clip despite Bombay HC order, awaits legal opinionMumbai police arrest IIT graduate in Bengaluru for sending threat texts to actor Ayushmann Khurrana, a few other film personalitiesIllegal firecracker sales continue despite notices to 4,000 sellers across stateDistressed by online video showing him ‘drunk’, SI kills selfMaharashtra cabinet announces 20% amnesty for pending traffic e-challan duesState govt aims to give permanent jobs to 1 lakh youths by May 8, first anniversary of BJP govt in Bengal, says chief minister Suvendu Adhikari, promises transparencyUP voter list shows 1.21 crore gender gap; officials told to enrol more women ahead of 2027 polls‘Looking for exchange of best practices’ Govt urges private schools to play mentorTired of too many ads?go ad free nowDaily PuzzlesConnectThe Perfect TracePlay Now Loop The LoopPuzzle CircuitPlay Now Daily CrosswordSpecial puzzlePlay Now Explore More PuzzlesExplore Every CornerAcross The GlobeDonna KelceUS Midterm Election ResultUS Senate Election ResultAndre AgassisPatrick and Brittany Mahomes MilestoneBrittany MahomesIndia Vs New ZealandKelly StaffordVirat KohliTom BradyUS Governor Election ResultAyesha CurryKai CenatJarome IginlaUS Midterm ResultsJosh AllenPatrick Mahomes MansionPV SindhuWWE Crown Jewel 2026Rahul GandhiTom BradySachin TendulkarRohan RajbharAnshul KambojAryna SabalenkaTravis KelcePatrick MahomesJason Kelce motherMayor Craig TimmonsPatrick and Brittany MahomesAbout usCreate Your Own AdTerms of Use and Grievance Redressal Policy Privacy policyAdvertise with usRSSNewsletterFeedbackePaperContact UsEditorial PolicyLiving and EntertainmentCricbuzzLifestyleNewspaper SubscriptionFood NewsTVTimes PrimeTravel DestinationsWhats HotETimesTimes PetsServicesBreaking NewsTimes MobileGadgets NowCity NewsWork with UsColombiaTOI AutoLuxury TOI HomesTOI Home & DecorEcopreneurWellnessAIQHot on the WebAngelina JolieParis JacksonRichard SimmonsKareena Kapoor KhanBadshahRanbir KapoorAadarsha Kutumbam Box Office CollectionPrince JacksonNikolaj CosterChiranjeeviKaali Kheti TeaserUdta Teer Box Office CollectionHanuman AnshRanbir KapoorHans ZimmerHoney TrehanAmitabh BachchanEd SheeranJailer 2 CollectionDrishyam 3 OTTMarilyn MonroeTiger ShroffIan MckellenRavi TejaDakota JohnsonAjith KumarHrithik RoshanBaby NamesDrishyam 3 Box Office CollectionHoroscope TodayBlacklisted Vehicle CaseMahindra Bolero Pickup StolenAgniveer ExtensionRajnath SinghPakistan Fa'az MissileDeep Sea SpeciesNasa Martian RockSouth Korea Baby DinosaurDead