Extension of train service to Karwar would help students'

Mangalore, March 5: In the backdrop of few persons lobbying against the extension of Mangalore-Bangalore train to Karwar, Paschima Karavali Railway Yatri Abhivridhi Samiti has said that if the train is extended to Karwar, then railway connectivity will be provided from Karwar-Mangalore-Puttur-Subramanya.

Moreover, it will be convenient to the school and college students along with office-goers.

According to a press release from Samiti President Hanumantha Kamath, the train will connect Surathkal, Udupi, Kundapura, Bhatkal, Murdeshwara, Honnavara, Karwar and other important cities of coastal district. At the same time, it will also provide connectivity to Subramanya, Mysore, Bangalore to the people of the entire coastal district, the release said.

“If the night train is extended to Karwar, then the people of Puttur, Subramanya and Bantwal can visit Surathkal, Udupi, Kundapura and other places. Moreover, the people from the region can also visit Manipal for medical and business purpose in the morning and come back in the same train in the evening.”

“With the extension of Bangalore-Mangalore train to Kannur, the train is running empty, thus incurring loss to the railways. In fact, the railways had dropped the proposal on a train to Kannur few years ago, citing the reason that it is not profitable venture. However, later owing to the lobby from Kerala, the train was extended to Kannur. In fact, if the night train is extended to Karwar, then it will benefit the railways.”

He said the railways have brushed aside the indtroduction of addition train between Mangalore-Bangalore. In this background, even the proposal on the daily running of day train is a distant dream. Hence, the South Western Railways have to provide justice to Kerala and Karnataka by running few boogies to Kannur and few to Karwar.

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Puttur's Healthcare Dream Cleared: State Finance Gives Nod for 300-Bed Hospital

News Network

December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

• A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

• The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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