Fishermen association of coastal district demanded package in Karnataka budget

News Network

February 25, 2021

Bengaluru, Feb 25: The leaders of the fishermen community from three coastal districts of Karnataka have demanded that the State government come to the rescue of the fisheries sector by announcing a package of Rs 10,000 crore in the upcoming budget.

Various fishermen associations under the aegis of Dakshina Kannada Mogaveera Mahanjana Sangha said in a statement that they were badly affected due to high fuel costs, covid-19, pandemic, heavy drop in marine catch and other issues that has resulted in increased operational costs, because of which more than 90 per cent of the mechanised boats have stopped venturing into fishing.

Kishore D Suvarna, president of the Aala Samudra Meenugarara Sangha, said, “In the last five years, fishermen community has suffered a lot due to consistent drop in the marine catch. The operational cost involved in running mechanised boats has increased drastically as boats are spending more days in the sea and going too far off places for fishing, which has resulted in more consumption of fuel. To lessen the financial burden, more than 90 pc of boats have stopped venturing into the sea. There is no option left before us other than to seek help from the government. We demand that the government waive off loans as we are not in a position to repay them to the banks.”

The Sangha demanded that subsidised kerosene be provided for traditional fishing and the launch of a separate fishing zone. They also demanded that the government provide a loan with 4 per cent interest for fishing activities in the coming days and that the Coastal Regulation Zone rules be relaxed for the construction of houses for fishermen.

Leaders said that a memorandum has already been submitted to the Chief Minister to include their demands in the ensuring budget. The Sangha said that they will go on indefinite strike by stop fishing activities in the coastal districts if the State fails to meet their demands.

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Flight cancellations strand passengers overnight at Mangaluru Airport

News Network

December 4,2025

Mangaluru: Chaos erupted at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA) after IndiGo flight 6E 5150, bound for Mumbai, was repeatedly delayed and ultimately cancelled, leaving around 100 passengers stranded overnight. The incident highlights the ongoing country-wide operational disruptions affecting the airline, largely due to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms for crew.

The flight was initially scheduled for 9:25 PM on Tuesday but was first postponed to 11:40 PM, then midnight, before being cancelled around 3:00 AM. Passengers expressed frustration over last-minute communication and the lack of clarity, with elderly and ailing travellers particularly affected. “Though the airline arranged food, there was no proper communication, leaving us confused,” said one family member.

An IndiGo executive at MIA cited the FDTL rules, designed to prevent pilot fatigue by limiting crew working hours, as the cause of the cancellation. While alternative arrangements, including hotel stays, were offered, about 100 passengers chose to remain at the airport, creating tension. A replacement flight was arranged but also faced delays due to the same constraints, finally departing for Mumbai around 1:45 PM on Wednesday. Passengers either flew, requested refunds, or postponed their travel.

The Mangaluru delay is part of a broader crisis for IndiGo. The airline has been forced to make “calibrated schedule adjustments”—a euphemism for widespread cancellations and delays—after stricter FDTL norms came into effect on November 1.

While an IndiGo spokesperson acknowledged unavoidable flight disruptions due to technology issues, operational requirements, and the updated crew rostering rules, the DGCA has intervened, summoning senior airline officials to explain the chaos and outline corrective measures.

The ripple effect has been felt across the country, with major hubs like Bengaluru and Mumbai reporting numerous cancellations. The Mangaluru incident underscores the systemic operational strain currently confronting India’s largest carrier, leaving passengers nationwide grappling with uncertainty and delays.

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