Can Oscar Fernandes douse rebellion fire in Karnataka Congress?

June 22, 2016

Udupi, Jun 22: The Congress high command has reportedly deputed former union minister Oscar Fernandes to defuse the rebellion fire erupted in party's Karnataka unit against chief minister Siddaramaiah after recent major revamp in the cabinet.

As part of efforts to mollify the disgruntled ministers, Party sources said the party high command has directed Mr Fernandes to hold talks with the rebellious dropped ministers including Vinay Kumar Sorke, the Billva stalwart from coastal Karnataka.

Mr Fernandes is also expected to meet Prasad, Ambareesh and Qamrul Islam separately and pacify the sulking leaders. Both Amabreesh and Prasad on Tuesday made it clear that they were not hurt because they were dropped from the ministry but for sending them out unceremoniously.

Meanwhile, Mr Fernandes told media persons in Mangaluru that the Karnataka government did not face any threat due to the dissidence' of disgruntled legislators.

He said that the party was in touch with the legislators who were unhappy either for being dropped out of the Ministry or for not being inducted into it during the recent Cabinet reshuffle.

Responding to another question, he said that he disapproved party workers' protest resulting in damage to public property. It should not have happened, Mr. Fernandes said.

Asked about the allegations that he was responsible for the dropping of Vinay Kumar Sorake thereby hurting the sentiments of Billava community in coastal districts, Mr. Fernandes said if it was true, he was prepared for any sacrifice.

Comments

Useless guy..... cong by selecting such duffers, is losing its vote bank.....

you will feel the heat in next election, tata bye.

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Mangaluru’s ₹1,200 crore fix: Massive sewage overhaul to end city’s drainage woes

News Network

December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

• Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

• STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

• Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

Comments

Add new comment

Coastaldigest.com reserves the right to delete or block any comments.
Coastaldigset.com is not responsible for its readers’ comments.
Comments that are abusive, incendiary or irrelevant are strictly prohibited.
Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name to avoid reject.

Air India Express brings back Mangaluru–Muscat direct flights from March 2026

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

Comments