DK Shivakumar Flags Karnataka’s Coastal Development Shortfall

Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar admitted a glaring failure to leverage the state’s shoreline effectively during a coastal development conclave. He remarked that the state has not been able to make proper use of its 320-km coastal goldmine. From pristine beaches to deep-sea fishing grounds, the potential is staggering, yet infrastructure continues to lag. Shivakumar dissected systemic issues such as land acquisition snarls and ecological safeguards. He advocated for a model similar to Gujarat’s port-led growth. Stakeholders, including fishermen’s unions and the hospitality sector, have welcomed the admission, hoping it leads to the promised ‘Coastal Action Plan 2025’.