Did Indian Navy’s Guided-Missile Destroyer destroy Udupi fishing boat?

coastaldigest.com web desk

May 4, 2019

Udupi, May 4: Udupi MLA Raghupathi Bhat and former minister Pramod Madhwaraj have demanded a high level inquiry into the case of missing fishing boat Suvarna Tribhuja, the wreckage of which was traced by the Navy personnel.

Though the reason behind how the vessel was damaged still remains unknown, boat Mr Bhat and Mr Madhwaraj speculated that the boat had possibly been hit by Indian Navy’s stealth guided-missile destroyer, INS Kochi, which was moving in that area on December 15, 2018.

“Our aim is to get maximum compensation for the families of the seven fishermen. If a naval ship had hit the boat, then the Navy would have to pay the compensation. We will take a fishermen’s delegation to Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman soon. Let her order a probe into the matter,” Mr. Bhat said.

Mr. Madhwaraj demanded a judicial probe by a retired Supreme Court judge. He alleged that the information on the boat being hit was “hidden” until the completion of 2019 parliamentary elections.

Mr. Bhat, however, took strong exception to Mr. Madhwaraj’s claim and said that it was pure speculation and Mr. Madhwaraj should submit evidence, if he has any, he has on the matter.

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.

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