Mangaluru flagged ‘India’s next major data-centre hub’ in feasibility study submitted to K’taka govt
Mangaluru: Karnataka’s digital-economy ambitions received a strong push this week after a detailed feasibility study identified Mangaluru as one of the country’s most promising emerging locations for large-scale data-centre development.
The report, titled Mangalore Today: India’s Next Potential Data Center Hub – A Feasibility Assessment, has been prepared jointly by the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), the Silicon Beach Programme (SBP) and Deloitte. It was formally presented to IT Minister Priyank Kharge and Electronics, IT/BT and S&T Department Secretary Dr N. Manjula during a data-centre session at the Bengaluru Tech Summit.
According to the report, the coastal belt is well positioned to support India’s expanding data-centre ecosystem. It highlights competitive land and power costs, a strengthening GCC presence, rising AI adoption, the potential for an undersea cable landing station and the scope for developing a future-ready 1-GW-plus data-centre cluster powered by green energy.
The national data-centre market is projected to reach USD 21.8 billion by 2030, and the study outlines how Karnataka can anchor this growth through a twin-hub strategy with Bengaluru as the primary hyperscale hub, supported by Mangaluru and Hubballi as regional nodes for edge infrastructure, low-latency computing and AI-driven capabilities. Within this framework, the report positions Mangaluru as one of the strongest upcoming destinations in India for the next phase of data-centre expansion.
The study notes that Mangaluru offers lower land and electricity costs compared with Mumbai and Chennai, a supportive coastal industrial ecosystem, a fast-growing digital talent base, a rising GCC footprint and increasing industry interest along the coastal corridor.
KDEM chairperson B.V. Naidu said the global shift towards AI, data dominance and cloud adoption demands robust and future-proof digital infrastructure. He pointed out that Mangaluru has the right mix of coastal advantage, competitive environment and a growing pool of talent and industry to play a leading role.
Silicon Beach Programme founding member Rohith Bhat described Mangaluru as standing at a turning point. As global digital systems move towards AI, hyperscale computing and high-performance connectivity, he said regions that combine talent with cost efficiency will shape the next decade of digital growth. The study, he added, shows a clear pathway for Mangaluru to evolve into a major data-centre zone with coordinated effort and timely support.
The report concludes that with sustained planning and execution, Mangaluru could emerge as India’s globally competitive “Silicon Beach” and generate thousands of jobs in the digital-economy sector.
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Guv Gehlot clears bill paving way for Panchayat elections through ballots
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has given his assent to the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Act that will pave the way for holding the Panchayat elections through ballots instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Following the assent, the Act was notified in the state gazette on Wednesday.
The bill was passed by both houses of the Karnataka legislature in March during the budget session, amid protests by the opposition BJP.
As per the law, the principle of secrecy of the ballot is a cornerstone of free and fair elections, as recognised by the judiciary, which emphasised that the secrecy of the ballot protects voters from coercion, intimidation, and undue influence, thereby safeguarding the sanctity of the democratic process in several judgments of the Supreme Court.
Some concerns have been raised regarding the functioning of EVMs, necessitating a return to the robust secret ballot paper system to restore public trust, according to the Act.
Justifying its decision, the Karnataka government said there is “a growing consensus on the need to strengthen electoral mechanisms that prioritise anonymity and transparency”.
