Mangaluru Plans New Growth Corridors With Master Plan and Affordable Housing Push
Mangaluru, Karnataka | September 1, 2026: The Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (Muda) is preparing a broader development plan for the city, with its newly appointed chairperson Santhosh Kumar Shetty placing the implementation of the Master Plan at the top of the agenda.
The authority is also looking at expanding infrastructure towards Surathkal, Baikampady and Mulki, improving traffic management, developing smaller parks and introducing affordable housing schemes for middle-income and lower-income families.
Master Plan Gets Top Priority
Shetty said the proposed Master Plan was submitted to the state government in January, and the clarifications sought by the government have already been provided.
The remaining issues are expected to be discussed with the state leadership before the plan receives final approval.
For Mangaluru, the Master Plan is expected to provide a framework for managing future urban expansion and infrastructure development instead of allowing the city to grow without coordinated planning.
Muda Eyes Surathkal to Mulki Growth Corridor
Muda plans to encourage development beyond the existing core areas of Mangaluru.
The authority is looking at improving roads and infrastructure towards:
- Surathkal
- Baikampady
- Mulki
The proposed expansion could open up new areas for residential and commercial development while distributing future growth more evenly across the wider urban region.
Flyovers and Underpasses Planned to Tackle Traffic
Increasing traffic congestion is another priority for the authority.
Muda plans to explore the construction of flyovers and underpasses at suitable locations to improve traffic movement.
Better road connectivity could also influence property demand in developing areas by improving accessibility to residential and commercial destinations.
Affordable Housing Could Open New Property Options
Rising land prices within Mangaluru city have made it increasingly difficult for middle-class and lower-income families to purchase residential plots.
To address this, Muda plans to formulate affordable site and housing schemes on the city's outskirts, particularly in areas stretching from Surathkal towards Mulki.
If implemented effectively, these schemes could provide more accessible property options while also supporting planned expansion of the city.
Small Parks and Lake Development on the Agenda
Muda also plans to identify lakes within its jurisdiction and accelerate their rejuvenation.
Instead of focusing only on large parks, the authority intends to develop smaller neighbourhood parks on available 25-cent and 50-cent plots in residential areas. Private land may also be acquired where necessary.
For residents, such local-level green spaces could improve the liveability of emerging residential neighbourhoods.
Muda Wants Residents to Deal Directly With the Authority
The new chairperson has also highlighted the role of middlemen in Muda's processes.
According to Shetty, complicated rules and procedures often discourage residents from approaching the authority directly, leading them to depend on engineers or brokers.
Muda plans to simplify its procedures after discussions with elected representatives and officials, with the aim of creating a system where residents can approach the authority directly and complete their work without intermediaries.
Why This Matters for Mangaluru Property Buyers
The proposed changes could influence where Mangaluru grows over the coming years.
Better roads, traffic infrastructure, affordable housing, parks and planned expansion towards Surathkal, Baikampady and Mulki could gradually increase the attractiveness of these areas for homebuyers and developers.
However, the actual property impact will depend on the approval and implementation of the Master Plan, followed by execution of the proposed infrastructure projects.
What Happens Next
Muda's immediate priority is to secure final government approval for the Master Plan.
After that, the authority is expected to work on infrastructure expansion, traffic solutions, affordable housing schemes, lake rejuvenation and simplification of public-facing processes.
If these measures move forward as planned, they could give Mangaluru a more structured growth framework while creating new opportunities for residential development outside the city's existing core.