Karnataka’s first factory-built complex delivered to Yenepoya University

[email protected] (CD Network | Photos by Moany Gutty)
October 21, 2015

Mangaluru, Oct 21: KEF Infra, the infrastructure arm of the Singapore-based KEF Holdings, today delivered India’s first wholly factory-made residential project called “MeridiYEN” to Yenepoya University of Mangaluru.

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The project, comprising three 8-storey residential buildings covering an area of 1 lakh sq.ft, was completed in record nine months, and marks the successful initiation of a game-changing offsite construction technology that helps significantly reduce the duration of construction. In comparison, conventional construction methods would have taken anywhere between 24 and 36 months to complete a project of similar size.

The complex for staff and students, comprising 96 apartments, with each floor featuring 12 two-bedroom units, was completely designed, pre-engineered and manufactured at KEF Infra One Industrial Park in Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu. The state-of-the-art facilities is the only plant in the world to design, pre-engineer and manufacture every element of a building, which include wall panels, hollow core slabs, bathrooms, facades, windows, doors etc. --- at a single location.

Mr. Faizal E. Kottikollon, the Founder-Chairman of KEF Holdings, handed over the complex to Mr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, Chancellor of Yenepoya University, at a ceremony today. The event was attended by 300 distinguished guests, Mr. Ramanath Rai, Minister of Forest, Environment and Ecology, Govt of Karnataka, Mr. U T Khader, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of Karnataka, Mr. Nalin Kumar Kateel, Member of Parliament, Dakshina Kannada, Mr. Ivan D’Souza, Member of Legislative Council and Mr. B Ahmed HajeeMohiudeen, Chairman BA Group, SM Rasheed Haji, Chairpersons, DK district Wakf Advisory Committee among others.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kottikollon said the new complex marked many firsts in India’s construction industry. “This complex is made using offsite technology in its entiret. All elements of the buildings were manufactured at KEF Infra One Industrial Park in Krishnagiri, which, once completed in December this year, will be the world's largest integrated facility for offsite construction.”

Mr. Kottikollon added: “KEF is committed to creating a socio-economic impact in India by introducing path-breaking technologies. Our initial focus is on three key sectors --- infrastructure, education and healthcare. In line with India government's vision of 'Make in India', our primary focus is on infrastructure development by bringing in the best global practices, technologies and processes and integrate them to ensure enhanced quality benchmark and a significant reduction in time and money spent. This is evident from the fact that we were able to handover the Yenepoya’s residential project in a record nine months since its groundbreaking. If the traditional methods of construction were to be deployed, a project of this magnitude would have taken up to two to three years to complete.”

KEF’s team meticulously planned the construction schedule of the project. The task involved the seamless coordination and transportation of the fully finished prefabricated elements from KEF Infra One to the site office at Yenepoya University Campus in Mangaluru.

The project’s 208 bathrooms were fully prefabricated, inclusive of all mechanical, electrical and plumping works, sanitary wares, tiling and fittings. Innovative graphic concrete technology from Finland was used for the facade.

“We are the only company in the world to design, pre-engineer and manufacture every element of a building ranging from wall panels, hollow core slabs, bathrooms, facades and windows to doors. The perfect finish, superb construction quality and speed of delivery underscore our expertise in infrastructure development, precast blocks, prefabricated bathrooms, joinery and aluminum glazing,” said Mr. Kottikollon.

Mr. Yenepoya Abdulla Kunhi, Chancellor of Yenepoya University, said: “For Yenepoya University, the first private university in the district of Dakshin Kannada, the decision to become the first client of KEF Infra is further testimony to our rich tradition of embracing innovation and new technologies,” said the Chancellor.

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News Network
December 2,2025

Puttur: The long-cherished dream of a government medical college in Puttur has moved a decisive step closer to reality, with the Karnataka State Finance Department granting its official approval for the construction of a new 300-bed hospital.

Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai announced the crucial development to reporters on Monday, confirming that the official communication from the finance department was issued on November 27. This 300-bed facility is intended to be the cornerstone for the establishment of the government medical college, a project announced in the state budget.

Fast-Track Implementation

The MLA outlined an aggressive timeline for the project:

•    A Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the hospital is expected to be ready within 45 days.

•    The tender process for the construction will be completed within two months.

Following the completion of the tender process, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the project.

"Setting up a medical college in Puttur is a historical decision by the Congress government in Karnataka," Rai stated. The project has an estimated budget allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the medical college.

Focus on Medical Education Department

The MLA highlighted a key strategic move: requesting the government to implement the hospital construction through the Medical Education Department instead of the Health and Family Welfare Department. This is intended to streamline the entire process of establishing the full medical college, ensuring the facilities—including labs, operation theatres, and other necessary infrastructure—adhere to the strict guidelines set by the Medical Council of India (MCI). The proposed site for the project is in Bannur.

Rai also took the opportunity to address political criticism, stating that the government has fulfilled its promise despite "apprehensions" and "mocking and criticising" from opposition parties who had failed to take similar initiatives when they were in power. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has kept his word," he added.

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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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News Network
December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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