Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Sunday announced that the state government is considering developing a new landmark, ‘Karnataka Mandapam’, on the lines of Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam to boost tourism and attract major national and international events. Scroll down to know more about it.
Bengaluru Govt To Develop Delhi Like ‘Karnataka Mandapam’
According to reports by Moneycontrol, the proposed convention and exhibition centre could come up at Jakkur, Mysuru Lamps or the NGEF premises near a Metro station in Bengaluru, Shivakumar said. He made the announcement while inaugurating the first Karnataka Tourism Awards at Palace Grounds in Bengaluru on World Tourism Day.
Shivakumar stated that the Karnataka has significant tourism potential and that the government plans to develop tourism infrastructure while protecting the state’s environment, culture and local traditions.
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The government is also looking to promote tourism in regions such as Kodagu and Malnad, with a focus on balancing development with environmental protection. Highlighting Karnataka’s 360-km coastline, Shivakumar said the state has yet to fully utilise its coastal tourism potential.
The government has approved the Coastal Malnad Karnataka Tourism Policy-2026 to promote tourism across the coastal and Malnad regions. Under the policy, tourism projects will receive industry and infrastructure status to encourage investment. Shivakumar said the state would also seek support from the Centre to address challenges related to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules. He cited Kerala and Goa as examples of states that have developed tourism projects despite similar regulations.
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The state government is also exploring the possibility of setting up a large convention centre in Bengaluru, with discussions expected to be held with the Karnataka State Cricket Association.
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Shivakumar said BookMyShow has expressed interest in organising 25 to 30 major shows in Bengaluru every year, including events similar to the Coldplay concerts held in Mumbai.
The government is also planning an Asia’s tallest sky deck, which is expected to be developed through a public-private partnership after a suitable location is identified.
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What is mandapam in Delhi?
Bharat Mandapam is India's largest state-of-the-art international exhibition-cum-convention centre, located at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.