Coastal Economic Zone project to make Karwar-Ankola a hub

Bengaluru: Karnataka is pursuing a Coastal Economic Zone (CEZ) project in an about 50-km stretch along the west coast to make the Karwar-Ankola region a hub for economic development.

The proposed CEZ project would incorporate works that were already in the pipeline for air, water and rail connectivity, including development of the Belekeri port, a civil enclave at the planned Karwar naval airport and the Hubballi-Ankola railway line.

The state’s infrastructure development department (IDD) has prepared the proposal streamlining major infrastructure projects in the region, which it says will give a push to the development potential of Karwar and attract investors. Chief minister BS Yediyurappa heads the IDD One of the proposals is to develop an all-weather port at Belekeri, 30 km from the Karwar port with the proximity to the existing Konkan Railway line and the proposed Hubballi-Ankola railway line.