Power cut problems mount after UPCL plant row

March 10, 2011

PIP

Udupi, March 10: Udupi district has been witnessing highest ever power cuts since a few days. On an average there is a power cut of 10 hours a day. Thanks to the protests against the coal based power project- UPCL.

According to the sources, officials in the KPTCL had been unofficially asked to maximize the power cut in the district to nib the protests against the coal based power plant, causing health and environmental hazards through its bottom ash and fly ash. And also through discharge of saline water through the open drains to the fields.

In fact Udupi district requires 160 to 180 MW of power to be distributed via Kemar power station. It includes distribution of power through double circuit Guruvayanakere sub station (26 MW), double circuit Manipal Sub Station (45 MW), double circuit Nandikoor Sub Station (12 MW), single circuit Moodabidri sub station (19 MW), single circuit Hiriadka sub station (42 MW) and a 12 MW power to the local requirement of Kemar.

Prior to UPCL (erstwhile Nagarjuna) power plant commissioned Udupi district used to draw electricity from the Varahi Hydel Power Plant. After the UPCL plant started producing power Udupi district has been drawing locally produced power. At present UPCL has been generating 550- 600 MW of power and only 150-160 MW are being distributed to the region. Rest of the power produced is being supplied to Shimoga station for their local use and rest to be connected to the main grid.

On Wednesday Udupi district was given only 80 MW of power, less than half of its requirement. On Thursday too power supplied to Udupi district was within 100 MW. Still disgusting is that there has been power cut every ulternative hour.

“Due to power cut every alternate hour neither the inverters function properly nor things stored in the refrigerators remain eatable, said Anjani Prabhu a housewife.

The problem of students preparing for examinations in general and SSLC exams in particular has also been worsened.

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News Network
November 22,2025

The Karnataka government has announced a 50% rebate on pending traffic and transport fines. The discount is available from November 21 to December 12.

The rebate applies to all traffic e-challans and violation cases booked by the RTO between 1991–92 and 2019–20. Officials clarified that the offer is not applicable to pending tax dues and is restricted only to traffic-violation fines.

Across Karnataka, more than 4 lakh RTO cases remain pending, including those involving transport vehicles. While thousands of vehicle owners have already cleared their dues, the department expects to generate substantial revenue through this limited-period rebate.

How to Pay and Avail the Discount

There are three ways to check and pay your pending fines:

1. Through Mobile Apps
Available on both Play Store and App Store:
•    Karnataka State Police (KSP) app
•    KarnatakaOne app
•    ASTraM app

Steps:
•    Enter your vehicle number in any of the above apps
•    Verify the photo/details of your vehicle
•    Pay the fine with the 50% discount applied

2. Visit a Traffic Police Station

You can pay your pending fine at any nearby traffic police station.

3. Visit the Traffic Management Centre (TMC)

•    Location: First Floor, Infantry Road, near Indian Express, Bengaluru

Transport Commissioner Yogeesh A M said, “We don't issue e-challans, so there's no online payment system.”

The department estimates ₹52 crore in pending RTO fines up to March 2020. “With the 50% rebate, we expect to collect around ₹25 crore if all dues are cleared,” he added.

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News Network
November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Assembly Speaker and local MLA U.T. Khader has initiated a high-level push to resolve one of Mangaluru’s longest-standing traffic headaches: the narrow, high-density stretch of National Highway-66 between Nanthoor and Talapady.

He announced on Tuesday that a formal proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) seeking approval to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the widening of this crucial corridor.

The plan specifically aims to expand the existing 45-meter road width to a full 60 meters, coupled with the construction of dedicated service roads. Khader highlighted that land for a 60-meter highway was originally acquired during the initial four-laning project, but only 45 meters were developed, leading to a perpetual bottleneck.

"With vehicle density rising sharply, the expansion has become unavoidable," Khader stated, stressing that the upgrade is essential for ensuring smoother traffic flow and improving safety at the city's main entry and exit points.

The stretch between Nanthoor and Talapady is a vital link on the busy Kochi-Panvel coastal highway and connects to major city junctions. The move to utilize the previously acquired land for the full 60-meter width is seen as a necessary measure to catch up with the region's rapid vehicular growth and prevent further traffic gridlocks.

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News Network
November 22,2025

Mangaluru: Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy C H has warned of strict action against individuals spreading rumours and attempting to create insecurity within the Muslim community and fuel hatred between Hindus and Muslims through social media.

Referring to a recent social media post alleging that police personnel had entered a masjid premises to check whether beef was being cooked, the commissioner said miscreants were attempting to push their communal agenda. 

“A group of people, both from Mangaluru and abroad, are trying hard to spread rumours. For the past 10 days, they have been attempting to rake up old issues, highlight routine matters as controversies, or fabricate news altogether,” he said.

He reiterated that any such attempts to disturb communal harmony would invite legal action. “Cases will be registered and the accused will be brought to book,” he stated.

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