Siddaramaiah will be responsible if railway projects suffer: Railway minister

July 28, 2014

Mangalore, Jul 28: Union Railway minister DV Sadananda Gowda said chief minister Siddaramaiah would be responsible if railway projects in the state suffer a setback.

Railway projects
Ahead of the railway budget, chief minister Siddaramaiah had written to railway minister DV Sadananda Gowda that the pact between the state and Centre on 50:50 cost-sharing for projects be modified.

Siddaramaiah had written to the ministry stating that since state's resources were directly deployed for many public-oriented schemes, he urged Gowda to reconsider the decision to undertake railway projects on 50:50 cost-sharing pattern. In future, the state is ready to take up projects only on two-third (Centre) and one-third (state) sharing pattern,'' the CM had written.

'I do not want to politicise the issue. He (Siddaramaiah) has refused to share cost on 50:50 basis and agreed for one-third cost sharing. I have written to him again that was not possible,'' he said.

The state had made some headway to scale up its railway network after it signed a memorandum of understanding with the railway ministry a decade ago to extend 50% financial support and provide free land for long-pending projects.

Opposition leader KS Eshwarappa had alleged that Congress was playing divisive politics at the cost of the state's interest. Why Siddaramaiah had not written a similar letter when Mallikarjun Kharge was the railway minister, he had questioned.

Defending his letter, Siddaramaiah had said that Karnataka was getting step-motherly treatment in railway projects despite being among the few states which signed an MoU with the railway ministry to take up projects on cost-sharing basis apart from offering free land. Though the pact was signed a decade ago, the rail network in the state stands at an average of only 16.9km per 1,000km which is low compared to other southern states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala as well as West Bengal, Punjab and Haryana. Karnataka will not benefit much because the railways will ultimately reap the benefits of our funds,'' he had said.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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News Network
December 19,2025

Mangaluru: Public transport in Mangaluru is set for a state-led transformation as the government moves to deploy 100 new electric govt buses to replace unreliable private services. The initiative aims to provide a dependable alternative to private operators who have been frequently "cutting trips," leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

The announcement was made by Deputy Commissioner and MCC Administrator Darshan HV during a public phone-in session. The move specifically targets routes where private bus service has become erratic, ensuring that citizens no longer have to rely on a fluctuating private sector for their daily commute.

Restoring the Govt Presence

The transport crisis was brought to the forefront by Ramayya, a resident of Bajal, who highlighted a growing trend of private buses skipping morning and night trips. With the previous KSRTC (govt) services discontinued, residents have been left without a fallback option.

To fix this, the DC confirmed that the PM-eBus Sewa Scheme will bring 100 government-owned electric buses to the city:

•    Phased Deployment: The first 50 of the new 100 government buses are scheduled to arrive by March 2026.

•    State Infrastructure: Two new government depots, including one at Mudipu, are being prepared for operations.

•    Recruitment: The state has already begun training a new batch of government bus drivers to ensure the fleet is operational the moment it arrives.

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News Network
December 7,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 7: A 34-year-old fruit and vegetable trader in Mangaluru has reportedly lost ₹33.1 lakh after falling victim to an online investment scam run through a fake mobile app.

Police said the scam began in September, when the victim received a link on Facebook. Clicking it connected him to a WhatsApp number, where an unidentified person introduced a high-return investment scheme and instructed him to download an app.

To build trust, the fraudster asked him to invest ₹30,000 on September 24. The trader soon received ₹34,000 as “profit,” convincing him the scheme was genuine. Over the next two months, he transferred money in multiple instalments via Google Pay and IMPS to different scanner codes and bank accounts shared by the scammers. Between September 24 and December 3, he ended up sending a total of ₹33.1 lakh.

When he later requested a refund of his investment and promised returns, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming he needed to pay a “service tax” first. Even after he paid a small amount, no money was returned, and the scammers continued pressuring him for more.

A case has been registered at the CEN Crime Police Station.

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