Mangaluru: Mangaluru city might soon see 100 CNG stations that are planned to come up in the city under the ‘Haccha Haridra Dakshina Kannada’, a green drive by GAIL Gas Limited which is motivating land owners and individuals to collaborate for developing Green Mangaluru by setting up CNG stations on DODO Model.

GAIL Gas Limited has recently rolled out opportunities to partner in building the CNG infrastructure in the Mangaluru city.

Shri A.K Jana, CEO, GAIL Gas expressed that “People in Mangaluru will have a better quality of life by creating CNG infrastructure to promote cheaper and cleaner fuel CNG. Partnering with the company will also be an opportunity for those in possession of land to join hands with GAIL Gas in their endeavor “Haccha Haridra Dakshina Kannada” to provide clean fuel for the transport sector.”

According to a press release from the organization, under the drive an entire plot owned by a private owner will be developed exclusively for setting up of CNG station like petrol pumps and allied commercial activities at the discretion of GAIL Gas.

The selection process will be as per guidelines developed by the company. After selection of the site, the plot owner applicant desirous of setting up CNG station will enter into a long term agreement for 10 or more years on lease basis..

The CNG equipments (compressor/ cascade/ dispenser, etc.) will be installed and commissioned by GAIL Gas following all the statutory rules/guidelines. The dealer will have to arrange all the permissions to setup CNG Station including change of land use, necessary clearance, license, etc. at own expense and cost. The day to day operation of the equipment as well as of CNG retail outlet including dispensing of gas and general maintenance shall be the responsibility of the appointed dealer. The Dealer shall be paid commission by GAIl Gas as per the sales achieved based on the fixed dealer commission.

Various stretches has been identified for putting up CNG station in the Chief Port Capital of Karnataka. These stretches are at KPT Junction to NMPT Office (on NH 66 towards UDUPI); NMPT Office to Mulki (NH 66 towards UDUPI); KPT Junction to Nanthoor Junction (NH 66 towards Bangalore); Nanthoor Junction to Adyar (NH 73 towards Bangalore); Adyar to BC Road Junction (NH 73 towards Bangalore; Nanthoor Junction to Moodbidri (NH 169 towards DS Solapur); Nanthoor Junction to State Bank Circle;  Balmatta to Talapady - Toll Gate (Kerala Border) (NH 66 Towards Kerala); Thokkottu Junction to Ullal (Abbakka Circle); Thokkottu Junction to Mudipu; KottaraChowki (NH 66) to Lady Hill; Kuloor Junction to Kavoor Junction; Kavoor Junction to Bajpe; Kavoor Junction to KPT Junction; Kavoor Junction to Bharath Mall (KavoorBejai Road).

The land offered on a National Highway should not be in 1 Km radius from Toll Bridge/ NH-SHMDR Crossing and should be at least 1 Km away from the existing nearest CNG Station. The Minimum size of offered land should be 800 Square Meter with minimum 25 Meter of Frontage.

The details of the opportunity is also  available on website www.gailgas.com

GAIL Gas has won the authorization of the City Gas Distribution Project in Dakshina Kannada District, Mangaluru through 9th round of Bidding by Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board.  CGD Project of Dakshina Kannada District will supply Compressed Natural Gas for transport Sector, Piped Natural Gas for Households, Industries & Commercial Units. The Project will cover 4861.00 sq. kms Area in the district and will include 5 charge areas namely Bantval, Belthangady, Mangalore, Puttur & Sullia.  

The total Capital investment for the project is Rs. 1972 Crores for initial 25 years. The district will have 100 CNG stations and approximately 3,50,000 households connected with Piped Natural Gas. A network of 1250-inch kms will be laid in the district, benefiting 20 Lacs of population. The supply of Piped Natural Gas to industries and commercial units will also help in reduction of pollution in the city. The Project will connect hotels & restaurants in cities.  The main source pipeline for the CGD project will be GAIL’s Kochi-Koottanad-Bangalore-Mangalore Pipeline project (KKBMPL) Pipeline.

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Mumbai (PTI): Neeraj Ghaywan's much acclaimed "Homebound" is among the 15 films shortlisted in the best international feature category at the Oscars, moving a step close to the final five nominations and maybe a win.

The movie, inspired by a true story that became the basis of a news article during the pandemic, has been creating a global buzz since its debut in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival this May.

Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese is a fan and has come onboard as an executive producer ahead of the award season.

Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, "Homebound" is Ghaywan's second movie after "Masaan".

"Homebound" will compete for an Oscar nomination alongside Argentina's “Belén”, Brazil's “The Secret Agent”, French drama "It Was Just an Accident”, Germany's "Sound of Falling” and Iraq's "The President's Cake".

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The other movies in the shortlist include Japan's “Kokuho”, Jordan's “All That’s Left of You”, Norway's “Sentimental Value”, Palestine's “Palestine 36”, South Korean hit “No Other Choice”, Spain's “Sirat”, "Late Shift" from Switzerland, “Left-Handed Girl”from Taiwan and Tunisian drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in a release on Tuesday.

The award for best foreign film, now re-categorised as best international feature, has so far eluded India.

Only three Indian films have received nominations in the category -- Mehmood Khan’s “Mother India”, Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay” and Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Lagaan”. Deepa Mehta’s “Water”, starring John Abraham and Lisa Ray, also received a nomination but it was submitted from Canada.

Gujarati film "Chhello Show" in 2023 was the last film to get shortlisted.

Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to get an Oscar, bagging the coveted prize in 1983 for the film "Gandhi". Other than her, A R Rahman, Resul Pukootty and M M Keeravani have also won individual Oscars.

Team "Homebound" celebrated the shortlist news with posts on social media.

"We made the shortlist... Way to go team Homebound'!" Johar shared in Instagram Stories.

In a post, the producer said it was difficult for him to articulate how "proud and elated" he was with the news.

"All of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography... thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true... from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film! Upwards and onwards...."

Ghaywan also shared the news on X.

"#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world," he wrote on X with a special poster of the film.

Jethwa, who plays one of the two friends in the story opposite Ishaan Khatter, said the moment feels "surreal and incredibly humbling".

"To see 'Homebound' being shortlisted and progressing towards the Oscars is something I could have only dreamed of. I am deeply grateful for the love and support the film has received from audiences around the world," he said as he acknowledged Johar, Ghaywan and co-star Khatter and the rest of the team.

Khatter also shared the news on his Instagram stories and wrote, "Oscar ab dur nahi".

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"Homebound" is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's The New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home”, also titled "A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway".

The film portrays the childhood friendship between a Muslim and Dalit who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied due to their surnames.

The Academy on Tuesday also announced shortlists in 11 other categories, including the newly added casting Oscars, animated shorts, cinematography, documentary feature, documentary short, original score and song, sound and visual effects categories.

Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

Twenty-four categories will be awarded at the 98th Oscars. Each category has five nominees, except for best picture, which has 10.

The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.