Mangalore, Udupi to be part of Mega circuit: Sahay

December 18, 2011

Mangalore, December 18: Union Minister for Tourism Subodh Kant Sahay agreed to include Mangalore and Udupi in 'Mega circuit' to promote tourism by providing infrastructure in the region.

Speaking to presspersons on the sidelines of stakeholders meet on holistic development of coastal region here on Saturday, he said the mega circuit aims at integrated development of tourism prospectus of the region. The Ministry of Tourism will provide financial assistance of Rs 50 crore for development of identified destinations in the mega circuit.

The objective is to ensure that the infrastructure of these mega circuits is developed to the extent that it can cater to the future tourist inflow.

The Minister said that 34 destinations in the country will be developed on the model of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, wherein the destinations will be provided with infrastructure facilities. About 20 tourism parks will be created in the country. The tourism park will have convention centre, theme park, market and so on, to hold back the tourists for few days.

The Ministry of Tourism has identified 73 destinations in Karnataka to be developed on PPP mode.

If the State government sends the proposal, then we can provide all the help. The State should have investor-friendly policy for the promotion of tourism, he added.

Stating that there is lack of infrastracture to cater to the needs of the tourists, the Minister said that there is a need for 26 lakh rooms to cater to the needs of growing domestic tourists and four lakh rooms for the international tourists in the country.

Overseas office

The Minister said that Ministry of Tourism has 14 overseas offices.

Another 20 overseas offices will be set up in representative office character, to double the inboard tourists in the country.

Proposals

Few of the proposals which are under active consideration of the Ministry of Tourism are integrated development in and around Shimoga (Development of Jog Falls, Agumbe, Kollur and Banavasi), integrated development of Chikkaballapura, development of tourism infrastructure at Pattadakallu, Badami, Aihole, Alamatti dam, Vanivilasa dam, Hampi, Shivanasamudra, Pilikula, Magadi fort and Apsarakunda. Under the 11th plan, a sum of Rs 118.69 crore was sanctioned to Karnataka. Of which, Rs 97.80 crore was released.

'Clean India campaign'

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) has come up with a comprehensive long-term strategy to check the negative impact of unsatisfactory hygiene and cleanliness at important tourist destinations. Accordingly, 'Clean India Campaign' will be launched in New Delhi on December 20. As foreigners give priority to hygiene, we should see that our tourist destinations are clean. It is an attempt to give a new look to the tourist detsinations.

Former president of India Dr A P J Kalam will lead the campaign while celebrities and school kids will be part of the campaign.

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Respiratory illnesses rise in Karnataka’s capital as air quality deteriorates

News Network

February 5,2026

Bengaluru: As air quality continues to worsen across several parts of the city, hospitals in Bengaluru are reporting a steady rise in patients suffering from respiratory illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), health officials and doctors said.

Data from the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust (SAST) shows that 3,891 patients received treatment for respiratory ailments between April and November 2024. The figure rose to 4,187 during the same period in 2025.

Private hospitals, too, are witnessing a 10–15 per cent year-on-year increase in such cases.

While doctors caution that the rise cannot be attributed solely to air pollution, a significant number of patients are non-smokers with no prior history of respiratory disease.

“Nearly 70 per cent of the patients we see are non-smokers with no previous respiratory issues. When other causes are ruled out, air pollution emerges as the most likely factor,” said Dr Manjunath PH, consultant interventional pulmonologist at a hospital in Kengeri.

Doctors noted that patient footfall spikes during the winter months and around Deepavali, when air quality typically worsens.

“There is a clear correlation between poor air quality and the rise in cases. People commonly present with persistent cough, breathlessness and irritation of the respiratory tract, indicating the impact of polluted air on their health,” said Dr Sheetal Chaurasia, consultant in pulmonary medicine at a private hospital in Whitefield.

Dr Chaurasia added that respiratory tract infections are also on the rise.

“Poor air quality leads to chronic airway inflammation, making the airways more vulnerable to infections. We are seeing an increase in both upper and lower respiratory tract infections,” she said.

Patients with pre-existing respiratory conditions remain the worst affected.

“For those already diagnosed with respiratory illnesses, deteriorating air quality significantly worsens the condition. Both the frequency and severity of attacks increase sharply,” said Dr Vandana P, a pulmonologist at a hospital on Bannerghatta Road.

Doctors also flagged a worrying trend of rising respiratory problems among younger adults and children.

To reduce exposure, they advised people to wear masks while travelling on two-wheelers or autos and ensure adequate ventilation at home to minimise indoor air pollution.

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