Govt proposes to produce 1000 MW from bagasse

Puttur, October 12: Despite intense opposition from Pejawar seer Sri Vishweshatheertha Swamiji and many environmentalists, the state government is contemplating to grant approval for the second unit of the Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) at Nandikur in Udupi district.

Speaking on the issue, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that the government will conduct study into the environmental aspects related to the second unit of the UPCL.

“We will give conditional approval and insist that the company should look into the environmental aspects,” he said and added that the state is placed in a difficult situation where it is not in a position to meet the demand for power.

“It is imperative for us to generate more power, but at the same time we will also give emphasis on environment. Government will balance both,” he said

The CM said that the State is chalking out plans to follow Maharashtra example where power is being generated from the bagasse produced in sugar factories.“If everything goes as per plan, state will soon be able to generate 1,000 MW additional power using molasses disposed from sugar factories across the state,” he proposed and informed that he has held talks with the sugar factory owners in Bangalore in this regard and the owners have given a positive response.

Apart from this, the CM said that his talk with Chattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh had been fruitful as the CM has agreed to supply 400 MW power supply to Karnataka. However, only 200 MW power is being supplied due to lack of additional power supply grid.

The CM had taken part in various programmes including civic reception organized at Panchamukhi Anjaneya Temple in Ishwaramangala here.

Combing operations

The CM said that the police will intensify combing operations in Western Ghats in wake of recent incident, where ANF constable Mahadev S Mane had died at Savanalu in Belthangady taluk.He said that 1,200 cops have been deployedto check the naxal movement in Western Ghats region and our aim is to root out naxal movement completely.

“A detailed inquiry will be conducted to ascertain the facts which led to the death of the constable in Savanalu,” he said.

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No cases yet, but vigilance high: Karnataka braces for Nipah threat

News Network

February 3,2026

Bengaluru: Following reports of fresh Nipah virus (NiV) cases in West Bengal and heightened vigilance across parts of Southeast Asia, the Karnataka Health Department has placed the state on high alert and activated emergency preparedness protocols.

Health officials said enhanced surveillance measures have been initiated after two healthcare workers in Barasat, West Bengal, tested positive for the virus earlier this month. While no cases have been reported in Karnataka so far, authorities said the state’s past exposure to Nipah outbreaks and high inter-state mobility warranted preventive action.

Officials have directed district health teams to intensify monitoring, particularly at hospitals and points of entry, and to ensure early detection and isolation of suspected cases.

High Mortality Virus with Multiple Transmission Routes

Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that can spread from animals to humans and has a reported fatality rate ranging between 60 and 75 per cent. Fruit bats, also known as flying foxes, are the natural reservoirs of the virus and can transmit it by contaminating food sources with saliva or urine.

Known modes of transmission include:

•   Contaminated food: Consumption of fruits partially eaten by bats or raw date-palm sap
•   Animal contact: Exposure to infected pigs or other animals
•   Human-to-human transmission: Close contact with body fluids of infected persons, particularly in healthcare settings

Symptoms and Disease Progression

The incubation period typically ranges from 4 to 14 days, though delayed onset has also been reported. Early symptoms often resemble common viral infections, making prompt clinical suspicion critical.

•   Initial symptoms: Fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, sore throat
•   Progressive symptoms: Drowsiness, disorientation, altered mental state
•   Severe stage: Seizures, neck stiffness and acute encephalitis, which can rapidly progress to coma

Public Health Advisory

The Health Department has issued precautionary guidelines urging the public to adopt risk-avoidance practices to prevent any local spillover.

Do’s
•   Wash fruits thoroughly before consumption
•   Drink boiled and cooled water
•   Use protective equipment while handling livestock
•   Maintain strict hand hygiene

Don’ts
•   Avoid fruits found on the ground or showing bite marks
•   Do not consume beverages made from raw tree sap, including toddy
•   Avoid areas with dense bat populations
•   Do not handle sick or dead animals

Preparedness Measures

Officials confirmed that isolation wards are being readied in major government hospitals and that medical staff are being sensitised to identify early warning signs.

“There is no cause for panic, but there is a need for heightened vigilance,” a senior health official said, adding that there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment for Nipah, and care remains largely supportive.

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