Mangaluru: Karanataka state Department of Industries and Commerce is planning to constitute Baikampady Industrial City Authority to develop Baikampady industrial area further in Mangaluru. In addition to Baikampady, the department is also planing to make up other 7 industrial areas as industrial city authorities to develop infrastructure facilities in the areas further.

The major objective of the plan is to provide better infrastructure facilities to the industries located in Baikampady industrial area. For the time being, the industrial area is facing lack of proper infrastructure facilities in the region which includes good roads, electricity, water and many others. The responsibility to manage the new authority is expected to be given to Kanara Small Industries Association as it is a local industrial organisation in the area.

An industrial city authority already been established in the electronic city in the state and Baikampady will be the second authority in the state.

An industrial area of 1,407 acre is expected to be come under upcoming industrial city authority. The responsibility to develop the area is goes to the local self governments they will be asked to pay 30% of the collected tax to Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC).For the time being, the industries located in the area are paying their taxes to MCC and Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB). However, the concerned authorities aren’t focusing seriously to provide basic facilities for the industries in the area.

Meanwhile, a no objection certificate is essential from MCC for constituting such an authority in the area. Once MCC signals green for the proposal then it is expected to be discussed in the industry and commerce department of the state and finally the state government should give its consent on the matter.

For the time being, more than 700 industries along with as many as 10,000 laborers are functioning in Baikampady industrial area. During 2015-16, Rs 840 crore worth products were exported while in 2014-15 Rs 999 crore worth products moved from Baikampady to foreign countries. Cashew nuts, auto parts, fish byproducts, electrical equipment and others are exported from the area to foreign countries every year.