In Pics: Coastal Mangaluru to get a ‘smart’ makeover

Mangaluru has outsmarted Bengaluru in the race to become one of India's smartest cities. The coastal city has been recently included in the Smart City Mission, along with 26 other cities from across the country, by the Ministry of Urban Development.

India's IT hub is still waiting for its turn to get the coveted title of becoming a smart city.

Reports say Mangaluru City Corporation (MNC) is all set to invest Rs 2,000 crore as a part of the smart city project in the next five years.

One of the key highlights of the smart city project for Mangaluru is to develop a solar farm on an island. The solar farm has been proposed on 20 acres near the old port.

Here we look at some of the key reasons why Mangaluru is such an important city in Karnataka:

Business hub

Kudla, as the city is also known as, has a thriving economy. The city's economic activities range from industry, commerce, agriculture to port. Mangaluru hosts Karnataka's second largest industrial area in Baikampady. In fact, Mangaluru Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) is one of the largest SEZs in the country. The new port in the city is India's seventh largest port.

Educational nerve centre

Mangaluru like Pune is very popular among the students' community. Over the years, the city has developed into a popular educational destination for students from across the country. The city is host to several well-known medical and engineering colleges in the country.

Beaches beckon

Mangaluru is synonymous with its beaches. The city has several pristine beaches. The beaches have always been a major tourist attraction. Some of the well-known beaches are Panambur, Someshwara, Ullal,Surathkal and Sasihithlu.

Cultural confluence

The city's diverse demography is well-reflected in the varied cultural activities that keep the residents busy throughout the year. The artistes of the city practice some of the most unique classical and folk art forms. Be it the Yakshagana, a night-long dance and drama performance to Pilivesha (literally, tiger dance), these art forms give the city its unique flavour.

Food lovers’ paradise

Mangaluru is every food lover's dream destination. The city pride itself in serving several cuisines unique to the diverse communities that reside. Be it Mangalurean fish curry to world-famous Udupi cuisine (vegetarian food)--the city's real essence is defined by its mouth-watering dishes.

Melting pot

Meet any Mangalurean and you would be surely amazed by the number of languages known by him or her. Tulu, Kannada, Konkani and Beary are the four main languages spoken by the people in the city. The city is also host to diverse religious groups. In fact, the city is also home to Tulu film industry, known as Coastalwood.

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