Mangalore Airport ready to handle air cargo: MR Vasudeva

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar)

November 9, 2010

Mangalore, November 9: In a positive move to utilise the enough space available at the old terminal building of Mangalore Airport for handling cargo, its Director MR Vasudeva on Monday said that Mangalore airport is ready to start air cargo, provided a custodian is appointed to start the operation.

Speaking at an interactive meeting with the stake holders on the establishment of air cargo complex at Mangalore airport, organised by the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) here he said four aircraft could be parked at the apron of old terminal building at Bajpe.

Vasudeva also said a private agency selected by inviting bids or Airports Authority of India (AAI) or a joint venture could take up the custodianship of cargo. “But initially it would not be possible for the AAI to take up the custodianship considering the procedures involved”, he added.

Responding to Vasudeva's statement, V Kannan, assistant general manager (technical), Central Warehousing Corporation, Bangalore, said the CWC was ready to take up the custodianship of cargo.

Chellam Prasad, station manager, Air India, Mangalore, said that Air India Express could take one tonne of cargo to Dubai on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The Dubai-bound aircraft on those days originated from Mangalore instead of Kozhikode. She said space for cargo could be blocked on those days.

CC Philip, president, Customs House Agents' Association, said that Customs Department would have to issue a notification declaring Mangalore Airport fit to handle cargo. It was time for concrete action as construction of an airport at Kannur in Kerala would be taken up shortly. Kannur could get to handle cargo.

G Soundaryaraja, Deputy Commissioner, Customs (Mangalore Airport operations) and Vinod Poovappa DV, Superintendent of Customs at the airport, said the Government had issued guidelines in June 2010 for handling cargo operations in airports. Those guidelines would be adhered to before issuing a notification.

Giridhar Prabhu, former president, KCCI, said the chamber should study the possible inward cargo to Mangalore Airport. Gold, silver and medical equipment could be imported. Airlines should press scheduled flights (having room for cargo) for operation. Express flights had limitations for carrying cargo, he said.

Rajakumar S Naik, Assistant Director, the Marine Products Export Development Authority, Mangalore, said the authority could provide financial assistance for exporters.

G G Mohandas Prabhu, president, KCCI said that the chamber will conduct another meeting after a week to further strengthen the move and to initiate steps.

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Saffron wave sweeps Udupi during PM Modi’s roadshow

coastaldigest.com news network

November 28,2025

Udupi district transformed into a sea of saffron and celebration on Friday, November 28, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s roadshow swept through the coastal temple town. Thousands of residents lined the streets, turning the event into a vibrant public spectacle filled with cheers, flags, and festive energy.

The procession route—from the helipad to the historic Sri Krishna Math—was decked with buntings, saffron flags, and multilayered security barricades. One of the district’s largest-ever security deployments was put in place for the high-profile visit, with over 3,000 police personnel on duty. The arrangement included ten SPs, 27 DSPs, 49 inspectors, 127 sub-inspectors, 232 assistant sub-inspectors, 1,608 constables, and 39 women staff.

Six platoons of the Karnataka State Reserve Police, six Quick Response Teams, bomb detection units, and dog squads were stationed across Udupi. Enhanced surveillance covered Adi Udupi, Bannanje bus stand, and the Sri Krishna Math parking zone, with combing operations carried out along the roadshow corridor.

At the 800-year-old Sri Krishna Math, preparations reached a ceremonial peak. Paryaya Puttige Math seer Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji said the Prime Minister would take part in the Laksha Kantha Geetha Parayana, a mass chanting of the Bhagavad Gita by one lakh devotees, and inaugurate the new Suvarna Teertha Mantapa.

“He will first offer floral tributes to saint-poet Kanakadasa and then unveil the golden covering over the Kanakana Kindi,” the seer said.

The Prime Minister will also receive a Poorna Kumbha welcome and have darshan of Lord Sri Krishna, Mukhyaprana Devaru, and the Suvarna Paduke. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Minister Bairathi Suresh, Dharmadhikari D. Veerendra Heggade, and seers from the Ashta Maths are expected to join the ceremony.

Ahead of his arrival, the Prime Minister posted on X that he felt “honoured” to attend the spiritually significant gathering. “This is a special occasion that brings together people from different sections of society for a recital of the Gita. This Matha has a very special significance in our cultural life,” he wrote, noting the institution’s long-standing legacy rooted in the teachings of Sri Madhvacharya.

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