Ports of Karnataka

Karnataka's coastline called Karavali stretches 300 km between Mangaluru in Dakshina Kannada district and Karwar in Uttara Kannada district. The coastline of Karnataka has been along the eastern shore of Arabian Sea. Karnataka has one major and ten minor ports in this coastal belt. Kali, Belekeri, Gangavali, Aghanashini Sharavathi, Sharabi, Kollur, Gangolli, Sitanadi, Gurpur and Netravati are the important rivers in this belt which empty into the Arabian sea. Sea erosion, migration of river mouths, siltation of ports and harbours are some of the problems common to this belt.

Development of ports being a state subject, the Government of Karnataka set up the Department of Ports and Inland Water Transport in 1957. The Department has maintains one major and ten minor ports between Mangaluru in the south and Karwar in the North. The only major port is the New Mangalore Port. The minor ports are located at Karwar, Old Mangalore, Belekeri, Tadri, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Kundapur, Hangarakatta, Malpe and Padubidri ports. Of these, the one at Karwar is the only all-weather port while the rest are riverine fair-weather lighterage ports.

In the light of the economic reforms that the central government implemented in the early nineties, the Karnataka government also has been making serious efforts to improve its port infrastructure. In 1997, a “Port Policy” was formulated with a view to develop all ports with private participation. The policy is built around the BOOST (Build-Own-Operate-Share and Transfer) concept and primarily seeks to improve cargo handling capacity.

The New Mangalore port

The New Mangalore port is the only major port in Karnataka. It is located at Panambur in Dakshina Kannada district. The New Mangalore port is located to north of Gurupura river.

Karwar Port

The Karwar port is the only all weather port in Karnataka. It is also home to the country's biggest naval base under construction. The project is named Sea bird. The naval base will be called INS Kadamba after completion.

Old Mangalore Port

The Old Mangalore Port is located to south of New Mangalore Port. It is popularly known by name of Bunder. The port was used to ferry goods and passengers to Lakshadweep island and Middle East countries. Now fishing has become main activity of this harbour.

Belekeri port

Tadri port

Honnavar port

Honnavar port is located at the place where Sharavati river joins Arabian Sea. The port is near to town of Honnavar in Uttara Kannada district. Efforts to make this port for handling of larger ships have not been successful. The National Highway 17 and Honnavar railway station on Konkan Railway route is nearby.

Bhatkal port

Kundapura port

The port is at the confluence of Pancha gangolli river.The port is near the town of Kundapura in Udupi district. Even though National Highway 17 and Konkan railway pass near by this port, development of this port has not taken place.

Hangarakatta port

This port is located in Udupi district of Karnataka state.Hangarkatta port is mainly used by fishing boats.The port is banks of Swarna river and Sita river.

Malpe port

Malpe port is situated near town of Udupi.The port is located on confluence of Udyavara river and Arabian Sea.The port mostly handles fishing activities and sometimes cargo also.

Padubidri port

Padubidri is located in Udupi district of Karnataka state.There are talks of Padubidre port being developed for handling coal required for thermal power generating station being set up in nearby village of Nandikur.

Inland water transport

References

* [http://www.karnatakaports.in Karnatak ports introduction]
* [http://www.newmangalore-port.com/default.asp?channelid=2759&city=PORT New Mangalore Port]