Resumption of much awaited Mangalore - Bangalore train service; Increase in number of domestic as well as international flights (77 domestic flights/week and 24 international flights/week); Four-laning work between Surathkal and B C Road, construction of 7 flyovers in the same stretch and concretisation of roads in the City; Acquisition of land for the proposed MSEZ; Increase in the number of bank branches and ATMs by almost all banks; Rise in the number of high-rise buildings and boom in real estate business; Autonomy to 6 colleges and starting of several new courses; Inauguration of the Fr Muller Oncology Centre; and setting up of two private radio (FM) stations. The list continues...

Probably the district is witnessing such a rapid growth that a common man may find it difficult to even visualise where Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, the land of intellectuals as they are known, would stand five years from now.

Be it technology, banking, education or facilities, the coastal districts have registered growth in every field. In fact, the Dakshina Kannada is also the only district in the whole state to have road, rail, air and port connectivity. The key infrastructure facilities such as seaport, airport, major national highways and railways and a booming real estate market have made the region a strategic location for investments.

Over Rs 50,000 cr investments
According to estimates, over Rs 50,000 crore investments are planned in various sectors in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in the near future. At the same time, quite interestingly, the region does not depend on government grants for its development and the private entrepreneurship model of the region has made a mark in the industrial map of the country. Its worth mentioning here that Mangalore is one among the few PCPIR (petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals investment regions) in the county, and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) - Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) is planning mega investments in the region.
It includes Rs 8,000 crore for refinery expansion (increasing the capacity to 15 mmpta and upgradation of technology to make Euro IV petrol); Investment of Rs 5,000 crore for petrochemical complex by ONGC Mangalore Petrochemical Limited (OMPL) where MRPL will have 3 per cent stake, ONGC 46 per cent and rest by financial institutions.

This apart, work on Nagarjuna and Suzlon too is picking up pace.

Meanwhile, the work on the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) too has been progressing slowly but steadily. No doubt the Mangalore Specials Economic Zone will be a reality soon, but there is an enormous amount of work that is yet to be done in kicking it off.

IT destination
As Bangalore is overcrowded, IT majors are looking for space outside the capital and Mangalore has become one of their favourite destinations, thanks to easy connectivity and huge human resource. In fact, a huge building of the IT major Infosys is coming up near Konaje. B A Tech Park is coming up at Thumbe and MPhasis has been expanding in Mangalore. At the same time, it may be noted that the Export Promotion and Industrial Park (EPIP) at Ganjimutt near here has already been booked.

Hurdle for MSEZ, Nagarjuna?
Though the villagers in the vicinity are opposing the proposed MSEZ in DK district and Nagarjuna power plant in Udupi district, the officials concerned are quite confident of materialising their dream as the authorities concerned have given their go ahead and extended their full support. 

The only problem left for them is tackling the environmentalists.

Tourism
Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts have every potential to be called as “tourism destinations,” but unfortunately they are not. There is enormous potential, rich heritage and culture in form of temples, churches and mosques.  In fact, the beaches and Western Ghats are yet to be exploited by tourists or the tourism department. Pilikula Nisargadhama is slowly developing as an exception. But its only a tip of iceberg when compared to the tourism potential in the coastal districts. If the proposed Mangala Corniche (a 31-km proposed ring road, integrating a unique waterfront development from Ullal bridge to Kuloor bridge) becomes a reality, Mangalore would have another marine drive like Mumbai or Cochin.  Starting of cruise shipping by Port  would be a feather in the cap of Mangalore. At the outset, it is true that the district is progressing quickly; but there is lot more to be achieved. Hope the district climbs the ladder of growth sooner than predicted, without causing much damage to our environment which has been the talk of the day and future.