MP reviews railway related issues in Mangalore

[email protected] (CD Network)
July 29, 2013
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Mangalore, Jul 29: Member of Parliament Nalin Kumar Kateel discussed the progress of various on-going and pending railway projects concerning Palghat division of South-Western Railways with railway officials at a railway grievance meeting on Monday.

During the meeting at Circuit House, Kadri on Monday, Mr Kateel raised the issue of early completion of projects such as the widening of existing railway over-bridges (ROB) at Padil and Baikampady Industrial Area.

The railway over-bridges require urgent attention to their widening as four-laning of the National Highways at Padil and Baikampady were in progress.

Additional Division Railway Manager (ADRM), Palghat division, Mohan A Menon said that the structural design for the over-bridge at Padil was pending before the Southern Railway Board for approval, which would be provided by August 30.

Officials from the National Highway Authority of India said that once the structural design for the Baikampady over-bridge was approved, work would begin.

Mr Kateel urged the officials to complete the projects at the earliest.

'World-class station at Mangalore Central station'

As Mangalore Central Station has been identified by the Railway Board to be developed as a world-class station, it will be developed through public-private-partnership (PPP). The work has been entrusted to Kochi-based Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Ltd (KITCO), and further action will be taken on acceptance of consultancy report by authorities, said Mr Menon.

Construction of new platform at Mangalore Central station

To ease the congestion of large number of passengers at Mangalore Central Station, a sum of Rs 17 crore was allotted in 2013-14 budget for the construction of 4/5th platforms at the station.

Works such as development of a second entry to the station, a new high-level island platform, shelter for passengers, compound walling, pitline, slewing of washing line, dismantling of existing structures, signalling arrangements, provision for additional foot over-bridge and extension of second foot over-bridge have been proposed under the Pink Book 2014-15 at the total expenditure of Rs 16 crores, said Mr Menon.

Pre-paid auto-rickshaw counter at Kankanady station

Mr Menon said that the pre-paid auto-rickshaw counter at Mangalore Junction would be shifted from the present location once a suitable location was identified. A shelter also had to be provided from the platform to the counter so that passengers could reach the counter without difficulty during monsoons.

Mr Kateel also instructed that the widening of the approach road from Nagori to Kankanady railway station be accelerated, and instructed the regional transport officer to issue a route permit for a KSRTC city bus trip from Panambur to Mangalore Junction during arrival and departure of trains.

Padil-Bajal under-bridge

Mr Menon said that work on the railway under-bridge project at Bajal level crossing was in progress. The soil-testing is currently in progress, following which the methodology for the construction of an under-bridge will be determined.

On the matter, Mr Kateel instructed the Mangalore City Corporation to remit the balance of Rs 19.39 lakhs to the project at the earliest.

Railway projects such as construction of over-bridge/under-bridge at Jeppu Mahakali Padpu and Jeppu Kudpadi, opening of level crossing road near APMC at Baikampady, construction of Adarsh station at Puttur, extension of Mumbai-Mangalore train upto Mangalore Central station and development of Subramanya Road station were also discussed in the meeting.

MCC assistant executive engineer Naresh Shenoy and several railway officials were present in the meeting.
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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: In a decisive move to tackle the city’s deteriorating sanitation infrastructure, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has announced a massive ₹1,200 crore action plan to overhaul its underground drainage (UGD) network.

The initiative, spearheaded by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV, aims to bridge "missing links" in the current system that have left residents grappling with overflowing sewage and environmental hazards.

The Breaking Point

The announcement follows a high-intensity phone-in session on Thursday, where the DC was flooded with grievances from frustrated citizens. Residents, including Savithri from Yekkur, described a harrowing reality: raw sewage from apartments leaking into stormwater drains, creating a "permanent stink" and turning residential zones into mosquito breeding grounds.

"We are facing immense difficulties due to the stench and the health risks. Local officials have remained silent until now," one resident reported during the session.

The Strategy: A Six-Year Vision

DC Darshan HV confirmed that the proposed plan is not a temporary patch but a comprehensive six-year roadmap designed to accommodate Mangaluru’s projected population growth. Key highlights of the plan include:

•    Infrastructure Expansion: Laying additional pipelines to connect older neighborhoods to the main grid.

•    STP Crackdown: Stricter enforcement of Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) regulations. While new apartments are required to have functional STPs, many older buildings lack them entirely, and several newer units are reportedly non-functional.

•    Budgetary Push: The plan has already been discussed with the district in-charge minister and the Secretary of the Urban Development Department. It is slated for formal presentation in the upcoming state budget.

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News Network
December 16,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 16: The Mangaluru City police have significantly escalated their campaign against drug trafficking, arresting 25 individuals and booking 12 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between November 30 and December 13. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of a substantial quantity of illicit substances, including 685.6 grams of MDMA and 1.5 kg of ganja.

The success of this recent drive has been significantly boosted by the city’s innovative, QR code-based anonymous reporting system.

"The anonymous reporting system has received an encouraging response. Several recent arrests were made based on inputs received through this system, helping police tighten the noose around drug peddlers," said the City Police Commissioner.

The latest arrests contribute to a robust year-to-date record, underscoring the police's relentless commitment to combating the drug menace.

Up to December 14 this year, the police have registered a total of 107 cases of drug peddling, leading to the arrest of 219 peddlers. Furthermore, they have booked 562 cases of drug consumption, resulting in the arrest of 671 individuals.

The scale of the seizure for the year reflects the magnitude of the problem being tackled: police have seized 320.6 kg of ganja worth ₹88.7 lakh and 1.4 kg of MDMA valued at ₹1.2 crore. Other significant seizures include hydro-weed ganja worth ₹94.7 lakh and cocaine worth ₹1.9 lakh, among others.

The Commissioner emphasized a policy of rigorous enforcement: "We ensure that peddlers are caught red-handed so that they cannot later dispute the case or claim innocence."

To counter the rising trend of substance abuse among youth, the Mangaluru City police have rolled out uniform guidelines for random drug testing across educational institutions.

As part of the drive, tests were conducted in approximately 100 institutions, screening an estimated 5,500 to 6,000 students in the first phase. 20 students tested positive for drug consumption during the initial screening.

Students who tested positive have been provided counselling and are scheduled for re-testing in the second quarter. The testing will also be expanded to students not covered in the first phase. In a move to ensure strict implementation, police personnel were deployed in mufti in some institutions. Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance, the Commissioner confirmed that random testing will continue, and colleges have also been instructed to conduct drug tests at the time of admission to deter substance abuse from an early stage.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Air India Express has announced that it will resume direct flight services between Mangaluru and Muscat from March 2026, restoring an important international air link for passengers from the coastal region.

Airport authorities said the service will operate twice a week—on Sundays and Tuesdays—from March 1. The initial flights are scheduled on March 3, 8 and 10, followed by March 15 and 17, with the same operating pattern to continue thereafter. The flight duration is approximately three hours and 25 minutes.

The Mangaluru–Muscat route was earlier operated under the 2025 summer schedule, with services beginning on July 14. At that time, Air India Express had operated four flights a week before suspending the service.

Officials said the summer schedule will come into effect from March 29, after which changes in flight timings and departure schedules from Mangaluru are expected. Passengers have been advised to check the latest schedules while planning their travel.

The resumption of direct flights to Muscat is expected to significantly benefit expatriates, business travellers and others, further strengthening Mangaluru’s air connectivity with the Gulf region.

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