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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coastaldigest.com news network
December 2,2025

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Udupi, Dec 2: A wave of regional pride is sweeping through Udupi district as Shagun S Verma Hegde, a talented Class 9 student from Christ King English Medium High School, Karkala, has been named the captain of the Indian National Team for the Under-15 Girls’ Volleyball Championship.

Shagun holds the unique distinction of being the sole player from Karnataka selected to represent the country in the prestigious international tournament. The championship, organized by the School Games Federation, is scheduled to take place in Shangluo, China, from December 3 to 13, where Shagun will lead the national squad.

A Remarkable Journey to the Top

Shagun’s selection is a testament to her dedication and exceptional skill on the court. Her journey included several rigorous rounds of selection:

•    She was the only player from Udupi district to qualify for the state-level selection camp.

•    Out of eight players from Karnataka who advanced to the national selection camp in Pune, Maharashtra, Shagun was the only one to secure a place in the final national squad.

•    The national camp saw participation from approximately 200 players, which was shortlisted to 23. Shagun not only made the final cut but was also ranked as the second-best player overall, solidifying her leadership role.

Shagun, who is the daughter of Sandesh Verma and Shruthiraj of Kallotte, Karkala, has trained under experienced coaches Santosh D’Souza, Jeevan D’Silva, Jairaj Poojary, and Ramesh. Her selection as the team captain has brought profound honour to her family, school, the Udupi district, and the entire state of Karnataka.

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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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News Network
December 7,2025

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Mangaluru, Dec 7: A rare bamboo shrimp has been rediscovered on mainland India more than 70 years after it was last reported, confirming for the first time the presence of Atyopsis spinipes in the country. The find was made by researchers from the Centre for Climate Change Studies at Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, during surveys in Karnataka and Odisha.

The team — shrimp expert Dr S Prakash, PhD scholar K Kunjulakshmi, and Mangaluru-based researcher Maclean Antony Santos — combined field surveys, ecological assessments and DNA analysis to identify the elusive species. Their findings, published in Zootaxa, resolve decades of taxonomic confusion stemming from a 1951 report that misidentified the species as Atyopsis moluccensis without strong evidence.

The shrimp has now been confirmed at two locations: the Mulki–Pavanje estuary near Mangaluru and the Kuakhai River in Bhubaneswar. Historical specimens from the Andaman Islands, previously labelled as A. moluccensis, were also found to be misidentified and actually belong to A. spinipes.

The rediscovery began after an aquarium hobbyist in Odisha spotted a shrimp in 2022, prompting systematic surveys across Udupi, Karwar and Mangaluru. Four female specimens were collected in Mulki and one in Odisha, all genetically matching.

Researchers warn the species may exist in very small, vulnerable populations as freshwater habitats face increasing pressure from pollution, sand mining and infrastructure development. All verified specimens have been deposited with the Zoological Survey of India for future reference.

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