Industrial growth vital for country: Moily

October 29, 2011

Mangalore, October, 29: Reiterating that Mangalore Airport is all set for international tag, Union minister for Corporate Affairs M Veerappa Moily said that a new air traffic control tower cum technical block will be ready for the airport in 18 months.

He was speaking after inaugurating a two day workshop on 'Table Top Airports and Safety Aspects' organised under the joint aegis of the department of Civil Engineering of NITK and Mangalore Airport Diamond Jubilee celebration Committee at Silver jubilee auditorium, Suratkal, here on Saturday.

Mr Moily said that the administrative approval and expenditure sanction for construction of new control tower and technical block at the airport at an estimated cost of Rs 26.57 crore has been obtained.

“Short listing of contractor has been completed and the tender is likely to be issued in a couple of days”, he added.

Industrial Development

Later, speaking to media persons on the side-lines of the workshop, Mr Moiy stated that industrial development was important for the country.

Stating that coastal region of Karnataka is a suitable hinterland for setting up industries considering the infrastructures, the Union Minister said that Mangalore enjoyed air, sea, rail and road transport connectivity together. “Such a privilege is not available for any other part in the state”, he added.

He said that people should not sacrifice the development by opposing the industrial growth.

“If we failed to set up industries in the State youth will have to move abroad for employment”, he reminded.

Responding to a query he said that concern of farmers can be addressed.

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Mangaluru’s KPT becomes India’s first autonomous govt polytechnic

News Network

January 23,2026

Mangaluru: The Karnataka Government Polytechnic (KPT), Mangaluru, has achieved autonomous status from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), becoming the first government polytechnic in the country to receive such recognition in its 78-year history. The status was granted by AICTE, New Delhi, and subsequently approved by the Karnataka Board of Technical Education in October last year.

Officials said the autonomy was conferred a few months ago. Until recently, AICTE extended autonomous status only to engineering colleges, excluding diploma institutions. However, with a renewed national focus on skill development, several government polytechnics across India have now been granted autonomy.

KPT, the second-largest polytechnic in Karnataka, was established in 1946 with four branches and has since expanded to offer eight diploma programmes, including computer science and polymer technology. The institution is spread across a 19-acre campus.

Ravindra M Keni, the first dean of the institution, told The Times of India that AICTE had proposed autonomous status for polytechnic institutions that are over 25 years old. “Many colleges applied. In the first round, 100 institutions were shortlisted, which was further narrowed down to 15 in the second round. We have already completed one semester after becoming an autonomous institution,” he said. He added that nearly 500 students are admitted annually across eight three-year diploma courses.

Explaining the factors that helped KPT secure autonomy, Keni said the institution has consistently recorded 100 per cent admissions and placements for its graduates. He also noted its strong performance in sports, with the college emerging champions for 12 consecutive years, along with active student participation in NCC and NSS activities.

Autonomous status allows KPT to design industry-oriented curricula, conduct examinations, prepare question papers, and manage academic documentation independently. The institution can also directly collaborate with industries and receive priority funding from AICTE or the Ministry of Education. While academic autonomy has been granted, financial control will continue to rest with the state government.

“There will be separate committees for examinations, question paper setting, boards of studies, and boards of examiners. The institution will now have the freedom to conduct admissions without government notifications and issue its own marks cards,” Keni said, adding that new academic initiatives would be planned after a year of functioning under the autonomous framework.

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