PORTS OF KARNATAKA
Karwar Port: Karwar port has been considered as one of the finest natural ports in the world. It was predicted that the cargo movement through this port would be around seven million tonnes during 1995-96. The main export items are iron/manganese ore, granite blocks, agricultural, forest and marine products. Now it has also been declared as customs port and as an all-weather port. The total cargo handled (both import and export) during 1999-2000 is 4,59,400 metric tonnes. During 2003-04, it handled 3,25,845 tonnes of imports and 6,26,352 tonnes of exports. Under Tenth five year plan 2002-07 a sum of Rs. 2,800 has been alloted for the improvement of Karwar Port. During
the first two years of this plan period a sum of Rs. 781.11 lakhs has been spent for its improvement and development
Belikri Port : The Port handled exports of about 60,895 metric tonnes of iron/manganese ore, during 92-93. A sum of 90 lakhs was alloted in the Eighth Plan for the development of the port. It is located about 27 km to the South of Karwar. It handled 96,960 tonnes of exports during 2003-04. Under the 10th Plan for its improvement a sum of Rs. 6.58 lakhs has been spent during 2002-04
Tadri Port: The Port lies at the mouth of Aghanashini, about 54 km north of Honavar. About 2,790 tonnes of silica sand was exported through this port during 1992-93. It reduced to only 610 metric tonnes during 1999-2000.It hadled only 815 tonnes of exports during 2003-04. During the first two years of 10th plan period a sum of Rs. 13 lakhs was spent for its development
Kundapur Port : It is located about 96 km to the north of Mangalore, at the confluence of Gangolli river. There was considerable movement of traffic through this port, prior to the development of Karwar port. About 5,538 metric tonnes of goods were exported from this port in 1992-93. About 46,445 metric tonnes of cargo was handled during 1999-2000. During the first two years of 10th Plan period, a sum of Rs. 13 lakhs was spent for its development.
Bhatkal Port: In olden times Bhatkal was an important trading centre for foreign trade. This natural port, was a major outlet on the West Coast during Vijayanagara times. Bhatkal is situated about 40 km to the south of Honavar and at the mouth of the Sharabi river. Commercial traffic through this port is very negligible. A sum of Rs. 8 lakhs has been spent for its development during the first two years of 10th plan period.
Honavar: It is situated at the mouth of the Sharavati river and second important port after Karwar. The port has been developed during the successive Five Year Plans. Total exports handled by the port were 1,609 M.tonnes, during 1992-93. A sum of Rs. 12.85 lakhs has been spent for its development during the first two years of 10th plan period.
MaIpe : The Malpe port is located at the confluence of Udyavara river and lies 64 km to the north of Mangalore and five km to the west of Udupi. About 17,700 tonnes of silica sand exports were handled by this port in 1992- 93. In 1999-2000, 17,105 metric tonnes of silica sand was exported from this port. It handled 1223 tonnes of Imports and 9650 tonnes of exports during 2003-04. A sum of Rs. 148.67 lakhs has been spent for its development during the first two years of 10th plan period.
Hangarakatta: This port lies at the mouth of the Sitanadi and at a distance of 22 km south of Kundapur. During 1992-93, only 80 metric tonnes of cargo was exported from this port. A sum of Rs. 2 lakhs has been spent during 2003-04 for its development.
Old Mangalore port: No major development took place in the development of Mangalore old port in the previous plans. The old port is located about eight km South of New Mangalore Port and controlled by the State Government. By taking into account of the Shipping needs, it was decided to develop the port at an estimated cost of about 12.5 crores, in the VII Plan, construction of wharf and dredging of inner channel were completed. Total imports and exports routed through this port in 92-93, was 58,374 metric tonnes. This port also provided sea transportation to the Lakshadweep Islands. It handled 12,025 tonnes of imports and 94,808 tonnes of Exports during 2003-04. A
sum of Rs. 455.10 lakhs has been spent for its improvement during the irst two years of the 10th plan period. For the development of the Padubidri port a sum of Rs. 99,000 has been spent during 2003-04.
New Mangalore Port: The New Mangalore Port has been developed into an all-weather major port, by the Government of India. The port was declared in 1974, as ninth major port in the country and was developed over the years. During Eighth Plan, a sum of Rs. 60 crores was alloted by the Centre. Apart from it, some more facilities are expected to be created to handle crude oil, coal, LPG etc., and the user agencies have also agreed to meet the expenditure. Now this port is being administered by New Mangalore Port Trust Board under Government of India. Besides these, steps are being taken for the improvement of Old Mangalore port. Government of India has accorded sanction for handling petroleum products through Karwar port. Container service has been introduced there to serve Northern Karnataka. The Karwar, Belikeri, Tadri, Malpe, Honnavar, Bhatkal, Hangarakatta and Old Mangalore Ports together have handled 3.12 lakh metric tonnes of exports and 2.27 lakhs metric tonnes of imports for the year 1999-
2000. During 2003-04 they went upto 8.28 lakh metric tonnes and 3.39 lakh metric tonnes respectively.
