Ivan D'Souza hits back at Poojary in Congress workers meet

[email protected] (CD Network, Photos by Ahmed Anwar )

October 30, 2011

Mangalore, October 30: Congress leader B Janardhan Poojary on Sunday exhorted his party leaders and workers not to stage black-flag protest against BJP leader L K Advani's Jan Chetana Yatra, which is supposed to roll into city on Monday.

He was speaking at the assessment meet organised at Kanthi Church Hall, here, under the aegis of Mangalore South Block Congress Committee under the guidance of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee to discuss the upcoming interactive meet with voters.

Mr Poojary said that a black flag welcome to the octogenarian BJP leader, would only lead to excessive publicity to the controversial Rath Yatra. “Congress activists need not to go behind bars by protesting against this Yatra,” he added.

Ivan quits party post

Ironically, the meeting which was supposed to strengthen the bond between congress leaders and workers, turned bitter, when Mr Poojary suddenly lashed out at KPCC secretary Ivan D'Souza, who is also holding the post of DKCC vice-president.

He said that the newcomers to the part should work hard and prove their proficiency rather than aspiring for any posts. “Ivan D'Souza, who is simultaneously holding three posts in the party including the post of election officer, should immediately quit from the post of DCC vice-president and pave the way for senior workers”, he demanded.

In his response to 74 year old former union minister, Mr D'Souza said that he had been elevated to the post of KPCC secretary a few months ago without any pressure or demand. “I need not to resign formally to the DCC vice president post, as it certainly becomes vacant, while I assume the new post,” he said.

He also clarified that he would not like to continue in the post of DCC vice president.

Mr D'Souza also expressed unhappy over the way in which Mr Poojary criticised him in front of party workers. “If he wanted to advise me he could have personally contacted me anytime anywhere as I am always available for him,” he said.

He also exhorted the party workers to think why did Mr Poojary take such an extreme step.

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Roadblock to Relief: Speaker Khader’s Push to Expand Key NH-66 Stretch from Nanthoor to Talapady

News Network

November 26,2025

Mangaluru, Nov 26: Assembly Speaker and local MLA U.T. Khader has initiated a high-level push to resolve one of Mangaluru’s longest-standing traffic headaches: the narrow, high-density stretch of National Highway-66 between Nanthoor and Talapady.

He announced on Tuesday that a formal proposal has been submitted to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) seeking approval to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the widening of this crucial corridor.

The plan specifically aims to expand the existing 45-meter road width to a full 60 meters, coupled with the construction of dedicated service roads. Khader highlighted that land for a 60-meter highway was originally acquired during the initial four-laning project, but only 45 meters were developed, leading to a perpetual bottleneck.

"With vehicle density rising sharply, the expansion has become unavoidable," Khader stated, stressing that the upgrade is essential for ensuring smoother traffic flow and improving safety at the city's main entry and exit points.

The stretch between Nanthoor and Talapady is a vital link on the busy Kochi-Panvel coastal highway and connects to major city junctions. The move to utilize the previously acquired land for the full 60-meter width is seen as a necessary measure to catch up with the region's rapid vehicular growth and prevent further traffic gridlocks.

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