Shivakumar govt plans 'Karnataka Mandapam' on lines of Bharat Mandapam

Bengaluru: Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has said that his government is considering constructing a 'Karnataka Mandapam' on the lines of Delhi's Bharat Mandapam, with Jakkur, Mysuru Lamps or NGEF premises near a metro station under consideration as possible sites.

The proposal is part of the government's efforts to promote tourism by leveraging Karnataka's natural, cultural and heritage wealth, Shivakumar said while inaugurating the first Karnataka Tourism Awards at Palace Grounds here on World Tourism Day, a government press release said on Sunday.

"The government is considering constructing a 'Karnataka Mandapam' on the lines of Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, at Jakkur, Mysuru Lamps or NGEF premises, near a Metro station," Shivakumar said.


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He said the government was also considering promoting tourism in Kodagu and the Malnad region while ensuring that the environment and local culture were protected.

"Tourism gives pleasure to the eyes and the mind. The environment of our state is our biggest asset. Our government is encouraging tourism, including art, culture and entertainment," he said.

Shivakumar said more than two lakh foreign passport holders were working in Bengaluru, and that new hotels would be able to secure permissions within two to three months through the ease-of-doing-business mechanism.

The chief minister said the state had not fully utilised its 360-km coastline and announced that the government had approved the Coastal Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy-2026 to leverage the natural and cultural wealth of the coastal and Malnad regions.

"Under this, it has been decided to accord 'industry and infrastructure status' to tourism projects," he said.

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Shivakumar said the government would also seek the Centre's support in addressing issues arising from Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, citing policies in Kerala and Goa.

He said guides and taxi drivers should be recognised as ambassadors of tourism and stressed the need to showcase Karnataka's natural resources and heritage to the world while protecting the environment.

"There must be commitment and enthusiasm to engage in tourism. Without these, it is not possible to succeed in tourism," Shivakumar said.

He said the government was also considering setting up a convention centre in Bengaluru, adding that the matter would be discussed at a meeting with the Karnataka State Cricket Association next week.

"The BookMyShow team has discussed conducting at least 25 to 30 shows a year in Bengaluru, including Coldplay, apart from Mumbai. The government is also considering establishing a convention centre," he said.

Shivakumar also said the government would identify a suitable location and implement the proposed Asia's tallest sky deck project through a public-private partnership model.