Villagers resolve to oppose GAIL pipeline

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

October 6, 2012

Mangalore, October 6: Villagers of 13 gram panchayats and Ullal town municipality on Friday resolved that the proposals of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) and Relogistics Infrastructure Limited (RIL) of Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure Limited (RGTIL), to lay a pipeline for the transportation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through nearly 50 villages in Dakshina Kannada district will be opposed.

RIL had obtained authorization to lay LNG pipeline of 13.3 MMSCMD (million metric standard cubic meter per day) capacity from Thiruthani terminal point in Tamil Nadu to Mangalore via Bangalore from the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. Meanwhile, GAIL had obtained permission to lay pipeline of 16 MMSCMD capacity from Kochi in Kerala to Mangalore.

Ajith Kumar Rai Maladi, action committee coordinator, said that the fights will be carried out against the projects in all possible ways. "People should join hands to oppose the forceful acquisition of land for the projects. We should prevent the companies from implementing the project, which will not only grab fertile land, but also pose a threat to human life," he added.

Social activist Vidya Dinker said that the implementation of LNG pipeline projects will pave way for the petroleum, chemicals and petrochemicals investment region (PCPIR), which will convert more than 72,000 acres of land in the region into a highly pollutant zone. "It is unfortunate that the objections filed by the gram panchayats and people were sidelined while approving the projects. Only the cabinet can take a decision and reject the project," she added.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said that forceful acquisition of agriculture land is violation of a Supreme Court directive. MLC Monappa Bhandary and Zilla panchayat member Santhosh Kumar Boliyar were present.

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Major facelift for Mangaluru's sporting heart: Mangala Stadium set for 2-month closure to upgrade synthetic track

News Network

December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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