The Railway network covers a total length of 3090 kms, Major cities like Bangalore, Hubli-Dharwad, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Hassan and Mangalore are well connected to other parts of the country.  

Karnataka has five functional airports at Hubli, Mysore, Belgaum, Mangalore and Bangalore.  Bangalore is well connected with the rest of the country.  International flights originate from Bangalore as well.  A new international airport for Bangalore is scheduled to be commissioned shortly.  In addition to the need for up-gradation of existing airports, the Government proposes to establish domestic airports in district towns which have adequate economic potential.  The State also recognizes the need to increase connectivity to areas where large projects are coming up.  The State has identified Hubli, gulbarga, Mysore, bellary and Hassan for the construction of minor airports to handle 50 seater aircraft initially.

Indian ports handled 251.69 million tones of cargo in 1998-99, despite a capacity limitation of 185 million tones.  By the year 2001, port cargo traffic in India is projected at 380 million tones.  This is expected to increase to 816 million tones by the year 2010.  The major ports are already working over capacity and despite planned expansions, the capacity is not expected to meet projected demand.  Most of the container cargo in southern region is transshipped through the Colombo, Dubai and Singapore Ports.  There is tremendous scope for developing a container transshipment port on the west cost of India to cater to the country’s needs in coming year.

Karnataka has a 300 km coastline.  Its only major port, New Mangalore, is at the Southern tip of the state and handles most of Karnataka’s growing traffic.  There are 9 harbours/minor ports with limited berthing facilities at Karwar, Old Mangalore, Belekeri, Bhatkal, Honnavar, Malpe, Kundapur, Tadri and Hanngarkatta.  Of these, Karwar is the only all weather port.

New projects in other industries, with an investment outlay of over US$ 30 billion, are either being implemented or are in various stages of planning in Karnataka.  About 30% of these projects will be in the coastal districts, with major port dependent industries like petroleum, petrochemicals, steel, power, cement and chemicals.  These industries need ports with deeper drafts located close to the projects.  High value containerized traffic originating in Karnataka is still exported through ports on India’s East coast.  The ability to divert such cargo to ports in Karnataka will lead to substantial savings in shipment lead times and transportation costs.  For this reason, the Government has also proposed to set up container handling facilities in the State  

Karnataka has immense wealth of mineral resources and the table given below gives a brief picture of mineral reserves:

 Karnataka is noted for horticultural produce like fruits and vegetables, which are grown in almost all the districts. Mangoes, Pineapples, Grapes, Bananas, Guavas, Sapotas and Coconut constitute the major horticultural crop production extimated at 9 million tones, nearly constitutes 10 % of the national production, wheras, the geographical area of Karnataka is only 5.8 %. Presently there are 100 medium and large scale industries and 17,000 small scale industries engaged in the food processing Industry, thanks to a strong agro-base. The state is well known for commercial crops and spices like cardomam, cocoa, pepper , cashew nut etc. Karnataka produces 75 % of the country’s coffee, of which, 50 % is exported. Karnataka’s silk, constituting 70 % of the country’s production, is world famous. While present production of silk yarn is 6000 tonnes per annum, it is poised to increase to 9000 tonnes per  annum  in next five years. Silk sarees and silk products account for a major export activity in Karnataka. The irrigation facility offered by the rivers of the state provides of large agricultural base. Sugar is produced in plenty in Mandya, Bidar, Bellary, Shimoga, and Hassan districts. The stae is also the second largest  producer of sunflower which is grown in plenty North Karnataka, from which oil yields are also very high. Cotton is grown in plenty in Raichur, Dharwad and Bijapur. Tobacco of export variety is produced in Shimoga, Hassan and Mysore. Cardomam, Cloves, etc are produced in Coorg, Hassan and Shimoga. Cashew is produced in dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada.

The State has a large base for horticultural produce. Fruits and vegetables are produced in almost all the districts which have contributed to several Food processing Industries coming up in the State. Mango, Banana, Citrus, Guavas, Sapota, Grapes, Pineapple, Pomegranate, Jackfruit and Papaya are the major  fruits in the State. Mango used for export is available in Kolar, Bangalore and Tumkur in large quantities. Guavas which has also become a popular export commodity after processing is available in Kolar, Dharwad, Bangalore, and Bellary. The State also produces almost all the vegetables. Potatoes and Tomatoes are produced in large quantities. Tomatoes are grown in Kolar, Bellary, Dharwad, Belgaum etc, a large quantity of which is consumed by processing industries.

Thrust Sector industries identified:

a)       Electronics

b)       Telecommunications

c)       Informatics

d)       Agro-food processing, Agro- based (including hitech packaging units) cold Storage, Green houses, Tissue Culture Laboratory, Bio-fertilisers, Seed Production and Bio-technology.

e)       Leather and Leather products including Leather garments

f)         Ready-made garments

g)       Equipment for non-conventionsla sources of energy and energy conservation