Get ready for second round of Smart City selection: Nadidu to Mangaluru

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February 15, 2016

Mangaluru, Feb 14: Union Minister for Urban Development, Housing, Urban Poverty Alleviation M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday asked Mangaluru and other 79 cities to look inward, refine their proposals and compete in the second round for the selection of 40 cities that will be receiving grants under the Smart city scheme.

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Speaking on “Sustainable Development - way forward” at Sanghaniketan here on Sunday, Mr. Naidu said, “Mangaluru is still in the race. It is not in the first 20 cities selected for implementing the scheme.”

The Minister asked Mangaluru City Corporation to study proposals submitted by Belagavi and Davangere (which made it to the list of first 20 cities selected for the scheme) and figure out what is lacking. “You revise your plan and compete in the second round of selection,” he said.

Mr. Naidu chided the corporation and other city municipalities for overtly relying on the State and the Centre for finance for development work and not looking at improving their revenue and tax collection. “In most of the cities, 90 per cent of the revenue goes towards salary. In such a scenario, where is the question of spending for development,” he said.

Smart cities, Mr. Naidu said, do not mean just physically appearing smart. Smart cities require smart leaders who can take tough decisions and remove unauthorised construction. These leaders should plan for the next 20 years. They should look at providing drinking water, sanitation, housing and 24 x 7 power supply. “What is required is a smart MLA, smart Mayor, smart Commissioner and smart Councillor,” he emphasised.

Mr. Naidu said it was for the city to improve upon its preparedness and compete in the selection process. “The State government, like a mother of a child, should hold the hand of corporations and prepare them for the competition,” he added. People should be involved in the development of urban areas. “We need to take care of cities and their needs as urbanisation is the order of the day,” he said.

Mr. Naidu’s talk was organised jointly by Citizens Council and Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

•    Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

•    State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

•    Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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News Network
December 17,2025

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Melkar, Dec 17: The 17th Annual Day and Graduation Ceremony of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, themed “Fusion-2K25,” was celebrated with dignity and enthusiasm, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s academic journey. The programme reflected the college’s steadfast commitment to academic excellence, character building, and the holistic development of students.

The event was inaugurated by Mr. Asif Mohammed, whose presence greatly enriched the occasion. The celebration was further graced by the chief guests Mr. P. B. Ahmed Mudassir and Mr. Nissar Fakeer Mohammed, along with the distinguished guests of honour Mr. B. A. Nazeer and Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar. In their inspiring addresses, the guests encouraged the graduating students and appreciated the dedicated efforts of the management, faculty, and students.

The annual report was presented by the Principal, Mr. Abdul Majeed S, highlighting the institution’s academic progress, notable achievements, and extracurricular accomplishments during the academic year.

The presidential address was delivered by the esteemed Chairman of Melkar Women’s PU and Degree College, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasized the vital role of education in empowering women and shaping responsible citizens. He also stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and perseverance in achieving success.

Cultural programmes and academic recognitions formed an integral part of the celebration, showcasing the talents and achievements of the students. The graduation ceremony was a proud moment for the outgoing students as they were formally conferred degrees and wished success in their future endeavours.

Ms. Mashmooma Fathima served as the Master of Ceremonies. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Fathima Nida, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Ms. Ayisha Suhana.

The event successfully achieved its objectives and was highly appreciated by the guests and attendees.

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