Port road connectivity project by year-end

September 6, 2011

Mangalore, September 6: The ambitious 37.47 km port road connectivity project between Surathkal and BC Road will be completed by the end of this year, nearly six years after the project commenced.

Though the sanctioned cost of the project was Rs.196.50 crore, the revised estimate has pegged the cost at Rs 340 crore, according to a reply given by the minister of state in the ministry of road transport and highways Jitin Prasada.

Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel had raised the question in the Lok Sabha. So far, Rs.232.44 crore has been spent on the project. Regarding the steps taken or proposed to be taken for expeditious and timely completion of the project, Prasad replied saying that the contractor has been instructed to complete all works by December 31, 2011.

He said this deadline has been agreed and confirmed by the contractor. On the quality of the works, Prasad said that the supervision of the construction work is being done as per the standards and specification of the Contract Agreement.

Team to tackle hijackings An Inter-Ministerial Group of Officers (IMGO) has been set up to deal with hostage situation arising out of the hijacking of merchant vessels with Indian crew on board, said minister of shipping G K Vasan in the Lok Sabha recently.

Replying to the query by Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel regarding the safety of the Indian crew in view of hijacking, Vasan said the owners and flag administration of the hijacked vessels have been contacted through Indian missions abroad to ensure that they take suitable steps for the safety and early release of the hostages.

The minister also said that the government has decided to issue guidelines for deployment of armed guards on Indian flag ships. He was replying to the query raised by Kateel on whether the government has decided to allow armed security guards on board Indian merchant vessels against the backdrop of recent piracy incidents.

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From Dubai boom to Bengaluru backlash: Inside CJ Roy’s journey

News Network

January 31,2026

Bengaluru: The shooting incident involving CJ Roy, founder of the Confident Group, has once again put the spotlight on a businessman whose life has swung between flamboyant global success and persistent controversy at home.

Though Roy’s business interests extended across continents, his roots lay firmly in Karnataka. An alumnus of Christ School in Bengaluru, he later moved to Tumakuru to pursue an engineering degree. Those familiar with his early years describe him as intensely ambitious, beginning his career as a salesman at a small electronics firm dealing in computers.

Roy’s entry into large-scale real estate came through the Crystal Group, where he worked closely with Latha Namboothiri and rose from manager to director. However, the launch of the Confident Group in 2005 was clouded by industry speculation. Insiders speak of a fallout involving alleged “benami” properties and claims of deception that ultimately led to his independent venture—an episode Roy spent years trying to distance himself from, according to associates.

A tale of two cities

Roy’s professional trajectory diverged sharply across geographies.

In Dubai, he built a reputation as a bold and efficient developer, completing massive luxury residential projects in record time—some reportedly within 11 months. His rapid project delivery and lavish lifestyle in the Emirates earned him admiration and visibility in the real estate sector.

In Bengaluru, however, his image remained far more fractured. Sources say Roy stayed away from the city for several years amid disputes over unpaid dues to vendors and suppliers. Several projects were allegedly stalled, with accusations of unfulfilled commitments to cement and steel suppliers continuing to follow him.

Roy’s return to Bengaluru’s business and social circles began around 2018, marked by a conscious attempt at rebranding. His appointment as Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic added diplomatic legitimacy, which he complemented with visible CSR initiatives, including ambulance donations and high-profile charity events.

Heavy police presence in Langford Town

Following the incident, police personnel from the Central division were deployed outside the Confident Group building in Langford Town, which also houses the Slovak Honorary Consulate in Bengaluru.

The otherwise busy premises near Hosur Road wore a deserted look on Friday, reflecting the shock and uncertainty that followed the tragedy.

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