Ebola: UT Khader writes to Modi, seeks more checks at Delhi, Mumbai airports

August 10, 2014

Bangalore, Aug 10: State Health Minister U T Khader has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan to step up vigilance for possible Ebola virus affected patients landing at Delhi and Mumbai airports; the only two airports in the country that receive direct flights from Africa.

Mr Khader told the media on Saturday that all the flights from affected areas arrived only at Delhi and Mumbai Airports, he said that the passengers should be thoroughly screened at these airports. “None of these flights come to Bengaluru or Mangalore,” he said.

Karnataka Health Minister UT Khader has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi He has also requested them to send a team of experts to airports in Ebola affected countries who can screen people before they take off for their destinations to India. Khader also suggested that patients identified of Ebola should be taken to designated centres for treatment.

“If anyone is suspected of having symptoms, they must be immediately be rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi and should not be allowed to travel anywhere in the country,” he said.

The minister said that though the Union government has passed instructions to screen passengers at all airports, there is no clarity. “We want to know more about the protocols for screening,” he added.

Kempegowda International Airport advisory to passengers

Following the alert by the World Health Organisation declaring Ebola outbreak in West Africa as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) along with all international airports in the country on Saturday announced advisory to passengers on the proactive measures taken for education and containment of Ebola virus, which is a joint initiative of the Government of Karnataka, Airport Health Officer (APHO) and Airline Operators Committee (AOC).

He said that patients identified and quarantined in this manner could be directed to a identified center for treatment these ailments specifically in that country of origin OR if identified in India, quarantined at an Tertiary Care Govt Health Center in New Delhi / Mumbai which could cater to these specific patients by making exclusive and special arrangements.

“We need to send a strong message to reassure citizens that it is not an airborne transmission and we are taking adequate measures to ensure safety of our people, “he informed in the letter.

“We have issued airport entry passes to district health officials on an emergency basis and doctors, paramedics will be available at the airport. Starting August 8, all airlines have been directed to make inflight/on board announcements about mandatory requirements. Do's and don'ts issued by the United Nations have been prominently displayed for public awareness at the international departure and arrival areas,” said a KIAL spokesperson, adding that Bengaluru has taken aggressive steps to spread awareness among all staff and passengers through various kinds of information, communication and education material. Routine screenings for EVD have started and additional medical practitioners are available from the State Health Department.

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Major facelift for Mangaluru's sporting heart: Mangala Stadium set for 2-month closure to upgrade synthetic track

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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