Stranded between river and sea: Bengre’s unmet need for KSRTC bus services

coastaldigest.com news network
July 30, 2025

Mangaluru, July 29: The picturesque region of Bengre, nestled between the river and the sea in Kasaba of Mangaluru taluk, continues to face major transportation challenges. Despite a direct road link to Kuloor connecting it to the national highway, residents largely depend on ferry services to commute to Mangaluru city and beyond.

At present, only one private bus offers limited connectivity between Bengre and Bajpe, with a handful of morning and evening trips. This sparse service has forced the community to demand a robust and reliable public transportation alternative.

Taking matters into their own hands, members of the CPI(M) Bengre area committee submitted a memorandum to Rajesh Shetty, senior divisional controller of the KSRTC, Mangaluru division. The appeal seeks expanded government bus services to address the growing needs of the people.

“The residents of Thota Bengre, Kasaba Bengre, and Tannirbhavi are being underserved. A lone private bus is far from sufficient, especially with increasing footfall from tourists, workers, and fishermen,” noted CPI(M) Mangaluru City South committee member Tayyib Bengre.

He emphasized the urgency for a dedicated government bus route starting from Thota Bengre and passing through Kasaba Bengre, Tannirbhavi, Kuloor, Kottara, Lal Bagh Kottara, MCC, and ending at key locations such as the DC’s office and major railway stations.

The memorandum also called for inclusive policies—requesting free travel for women and female students to promote accessible education and employment opportunities.

With its scenic backdrop and growing population, Bengre is no longer a remote outpost—it’s a community waiting for the wheels of development to finally turn its way.

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News Network
January 10,2026

charmadi.jpg

Beltangady, Jan 10: Traffic on the treacherous Charmadi Ghat came to an abrupt halt on Friday night after a wild elephant descended onto the roadway between the second and third hairpin bends, triggering over an hour of complete chaos.

The dramatic encounter unfolded around 9.45 p.m. when the elephant reportedly uprooted a tree and positioned itself squarely in the middle of the narrow ghat stretch, calmly feasting while motorists watched in fear. With the massive animal refusing to budge, a long queue of vehicles quickly formed on both sides of the road.

Several motorists cautiously attempted to drive the elephant back toward the forest, but the lone tusker remained unmoved, leaving travellers stranded deep inside the ghat section.

Eyewitnesses stated that the situation became even more distressing as the location had no mobile network connectivity, preventing stranded commuters from contacting authorities or alerting others about the danger ahead.

The standoff finally eased only after the elephant slowly retreated into the darkness of the forest, allowing trapped vehicles to inch forward and continue their journey.

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News Network
January 10,2026

Udupi: In a shocking case of digital deception, a 32-year-old resident of Nadpalu village lost Rs 2.19 lakh after falling victim to an online loan scam while desperately seeking funds for his sister’s wedding.

According to the complaint filed with Hebri Police, Ramesh (32) received a call around 10 am on January 2 from an unknown number. The caller identified himself as Ravi Kumar S, claiming to represent a non-banking finance company offering quick online loans.

Needing urgent financial support for the marriage expenses, Ramesh enquired about the loan details. The caller allegedly promised a 3% interest rate with a monthly EMI of Rs 6,289 for five years, assuring a smooth approval process. Believing the offer to be genuine, Ramesh agreed to proceed.

Police said the fraudster then demanded multiple payments under different pretexts, claiming they were part of the loan processing formalities. Between January 2 and January 5, Ramesh transferred Rs 2,19,500 across 36 separate online transactions.

Realising he had been cheated, Ramesh approached Hebri Police, who registered a case under Sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act for online impersonation and fraud.

Police have initiated an investigation to trace the accused and have once again urged the public to verify the authenticity of financial service providers before making any payments.

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coastaldigest.com news network
January 10,2026

Mangaluru: In a strong pitch for redefining the economic future of coastal Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday lamented that the region’s vast natural wealth and tourism potential remain largely underutilised, forcing thousands of coastal youth to migrate outside the state and even abroad in search of opportunities.

Speaking in Mangaluru, Shivakumar said the coastal belt—stretching from Mangaluru to Karwar—continues to be one of Karnataka’s most scenic and resource-rich zones, yet local communities are not benefiting proportionately.

“Our beaches, backwaters, forests and culture are unmatched. But people from Mangaluru and other coastal districts continue to move out because we have not capitalised on what we already have,” he said.

Emphasising the talent of the younger generation, he noted that youth from coastal Karnataka are excelling in countries across the world. “They are brilliant, skilled and globally competitive. Our priority must be to create conditions where they can build their future here, not somewhere else. Our identity should shine on our own soil,” he asserted.

Shivakumar revealed that the state government has finalised a new tourism policy aimed at transforming Karnataka—particularly the coast—into a major tourism hub.

As part of the rollout, meetings will be held with investors, builders, tourism operators, entrepreneurs and local business communities.

“The government will extend full support to tourism development. Before implementing the policy, we will take inputs from stakeholders across Karnataka, especially from the coastal belt. Locals should be the prime beneficiaries of tourism growth,” he said.

He stressed that development must be driven by local capability, local enterprise and local initiative, ensuring that economic gains stay within the region rather than drifting outward.

Shivakumar added that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to visit later in the evening, urging those with concerns or suggestions regarding coastal tourism and youth opportunities to raise them directly during the visit.

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