'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
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: Mangaluru East police have registered a case following a sophisticated online fraud where a 57-year-old local resident was allegedly cheated out of ₹13.4 lakh after being targeted on Facebook.

The scam began in February when the complainant, while browsing Facebook reels, was contacted by a woman identifying herself as "Lillian Mary George" from London. After establishing a chat relationship, the woman claimed she would visit India in November and bring a significant sum of money.

The trap was sprung on November 15, when the victim received a call from a woman named "Sonali Gupta," who claimed Lillian had arrived at Mumbai International Airport but was detained by customs. The fraudsters convinced the man that Lillian was carrying £25,000 (about ₹26 lakh) in traveller’s cheques and 1 kg of gold (valued at around ₹30 lakh).

Under the pretense of clearing these items, the victim was asked to make numerous online transfers between November 15 and 18 for various bogus charges, including:

•    "Pounds exchange registration"
•    "Customs declaration issues"
•    "Discount charges"
•    "Money-laundering charges"

Believing the fictitious story, the complainant transferred the cumulative sum of ₹13.4 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. He realised he was cheated when the culprits later promised a refund within two days but stopped answering his calls. The Mangaluru East police are now investigating the case, which highlights the continuing threat of transnational cyber fraud using social engineering and promises of fictitious wealth.

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