'No response from Centre over tourism project'

August 31, 2011

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Udupi, August 31: There is no response from the Central government to the proposal sent urging fund allotments for the upgradation of the stretches from Karavali junction to Malpe under tourism programme, said MLA Raghupathy Bhat speaking at the CMC general body meeting held here on Tuesday.

He informed that a proposal for the amount of Rs 47 crores was sent to the central government and we are expecting the reply for the same. The amount will cover land acquisition process and upgradation and widening of the stretches. The Central government has not allotted any funds for the promotion of tourism in this area.

“We have requested Chief Minister for financial assistance to repair the stretches,” he said and added that a sum of Rs 90 lakhs has been earmarked for the repair of Balaipade-Kinnimulki stretch. Technical process is going on for the purpose, he said.

Bhat also turned down the proposal by the member Amritha Krishnamurthy for increasing the length of Kinnimulki upper bridge from the present proposal of 40 feet to 120 feet. She demanded that the increase in length will avoid traffic chaos. Bhat said the earlier proposal will be considered, he added.

Coming down heavily on the contractors who construct bad roads that have short life, especially in Perampalli area, Bhat asked the Commissioner to take immediate action against the contractors. They should be black listed, he said.

Member Sumitra Nayak demanded immediate repair of the stretches in Parkala as it is in very bad condition. Former CMC President Dinaker Shetty demanded funds for land acquisition process in Parkala. Bhat informed that a meet will be held with DC, CMC Commissioner and the Councillor of the area and measures will be taken accordingly.

About Rs 64 lakhs have been sanctioned for the project under 50-54 scheme, he added. He said that Councillors should create awareness among SC/ST community people over the benefits of the Chief Minister health cards issued to them.

CMC Commissioner Gokuldas Nayak informed that as many as Rs 27 lakhs have been claimed by the beneficiaries till July end under the programme. As many as 2,700 families have been facilitated by the health cards. “We have paid about Rs 31 lakhs as premium including VAT,” he added.

Briefing over Vajpayee Vasathi Yojane, Bhat informed that Udupi district is given highest target to cover under the scheme. Last year, it was about 300 and for the current year, the target is 600. However, it is the Banks that are creating unnecessary hassles fearing the recovery of the amount. This has delayed the sanctioning of fund under the scheme.

The conversion process has been made easier to get the benefits immediately, he said. The Commissioner informed that as many as 330 applications were received under the scheme.

About 60 applications have been approved and another 140 are under the process of bank review. The remaining 130 applications are not approved, he added. MLA informed that as many as Rs 36 crores is allotted for the underground channel project covering Manipal-Santhekatte area. Work will start by the beginning of next year, he said.

There was hue and cry in the House over the extra charges that were charged in the parking lot by the private parties within CMC limits, especially during Krishna Janmastami celebrations.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Udupi: The pontiffs of Sri Paryaya Puttige Mutt, the sacred seat of Jagadguru Shrimad Madhvacharya Moola Samsthanam, have submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister seeking comprehensive development for Udupi district. 

Proposal for International Airport

A key request is the establishment of an international airport. Highlighting that around 1,000 acres of land are available and suitable, the pontiffs noted that the existing Mangalore Airport provides limited international connectivity. They suggested the airport be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or as a Greenfield Airport to boost trade, education, healthcare, and spiritual tourism.

Metro and Rapid Transit Connectivity

The proposal also calls for Metro Rail or Rapid Transit between Mangaluru and Udupi. The 55 km coastal stretch experiences heavy daily commuter traffic, causing congestion. The district administration is ready to prepare an initial project report for a Mass Rapid Transit corridor and requested inclusion under national urban mobility programmes to ensure safe, green, and time-efficient regional transport.

Port and Coastal Development

The pontiffs urged the development of an international-standard port with a cruise terminal along Udupi’s coast. They also requested fast-tracking of pending coastal tourism projects and revising Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms to encourage sustainable infrastructure and hospitality investment.

IT, AI and Technological Infrastructure

Support was sought for an IT and AI Innovation Park with incubation facilities under Digital India and Startup India initiatives. The proposal also emphasized the need for strengthened data security and cloud computing infrastructure to boost India’s technological independence.

Sports and Education Initiatives

The pontiffs requested national sports status for Kambala, along with financial and infrastructure support. They also sought the establishment of an AIIMS in Udupi, a new IIT campus, and approval for an IIM to promote higher education in the district.

Representation to the Prime Minister

Sri Sugunendra Tirtha Pontiff and Sri Sushrendra Tirtha Swamiji represented the pontiffs in submitting the comprehensive development proposal to the Prime Minister during his recent visit.

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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