Minister pledges to bring back Mangalorean trio languishing in Saudi jail

October 3, 2011

Mangalore, October 2: Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs and Civil Aviation Vayalar Ravi on Sunday assured to take necessary steps to bring back three natives of Mangalore languishing in prison in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for last seven years.

Speaking during the formal inaugural of Mangalore Dasara at Sri Gokarnanatheshwara Temple, Kudroli here, Mr Ravi said that he came to know the issue recently and considered it seriously.

“Today a helpless mother came to me at the guest house asking my help to bring her hapless son back home from the oil rich nation. I immediately called the Indian Ambassador to Riyadh and asked him to make all necessary arrangements to bring the trio back”, he said.

International tag

Responding to a demand made by senior Congress leader B Janardhana Poojary, the minister also assured of working to provide Mangalore Airport an international tag.

There are some formalities to declare an Airport international one even though a number of international flights are operating from there, Mr Ravi said, adding that he would do his best fulfill those formalities.

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International Airport in Udupi, Metro to Mangaluru…: Pontiffs present comprehensive Udupi development plan to PM

News Network

November 30,2025

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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