BJP’s first list triggers heartburn; role of money sighted
Bengaluru: Announcement of the first list of 72 candidates by the BJP late on Sunday for the Assembly elections triggered heartburn among disappointed ticket aspirants in different parts of the State.
BJP top leaders, who returned from New Delhi after the central election committee meeting, had to face embarrassing moments as the disappointed ticket aspirants have not only resorted to protests, but also alleged the role of money.
According to a TH report, In Bengaluru, BJP leader N.R. Ramesh, who missed ticket for Chickpet constituency, publicly alleged the role of money. He said Union Minister Ananth Kumar was responsible for businessman Uday Garudachar getting ticket from Chickpet despite losing the previous elections.
The ticket distribution issue appears to have again brought to fore allegations of leaders from Karnataka Janata Party, with which Mr. Yeddyurappa associated himself for over a year, getting priority over loyal BJP workers in some constituencies.
In Bailhongal of Belagavi district, Vishwanath Patil, who had contested the previous polls on KJP ticket, has got ticket this time while senior leader Jagadish Metgud who had contested against him as BJP nominee has missed out this time. The supporters of Mr. Metgud alleged bias towards KJP in ticket selection. They staged a protest, shouted slogans against Mr. Yeddyurappa, and beat his effigy with footwear.
In Molakalmur of Chitradurga district, sitting MLA Thippeswamy has been ignored by the party, which has given ticket to B. Sriramulu, a leader from the neighbouring Ballari district. This has upset Mr. Thippeswamy who sent out a strong message to the party top leaders by holding a meeting of his supporters to express dissatisfaction.
In Bijapur, former Minister Appu Pattanshetty, who missed party ticket, kept his supporters guessing on his next political move. But he expressed dissatisfaction over people from other parties being inducted into BJP.
However, seeking to play down the embarrassing episode, BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa told reporters in Bengaluru that disappointment was common soon after declaration of party ticket. He said he would hold personal consultations with disappointed ticket aspirants to assuage their feelings.
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Karnataka Maritime Board announces plans for Mangaluru Water Metro Project
Mangaluru (Karnataka), Nov 4: After being endowed with multi connectivity facilities like three national highways, port and airport, Mangaluru city is now looking at a significant move towards sustainable urban mobility as the Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB) has announced plans for the Mangaluru Water Metro Project (MWMP), officials said on Monday.
This ambitious initiative aims to transform public transportation in the state, utilising National Waterways to connect areas along the Nethravathi (NW-74) and Gurupura (NW-43) rivers, they said.
Set to become India's second-largest water transport system after Kochi, the project promises an eco-friendly, economical and efficient mode of travel, the officials said.
According to officials, the MWMP will connect isolated communities from Bajal to Maravoor, enhancing accessibility and promoting the holistic development of these regions. The initiative is expected to boost local livelihoods and improve the standard of living through integrated transport networks.
According to the project report available with PTI, the MWMP will be rolled out in phases, with the initial stretch covering 30 kilometres along the Nethravathi and Gurupura river backwaters.
The priority route, beginning at Bajal on the Nethravathi and extending to the Maravoor Bridge on the Gurupura, will feature around 17 modern Metro stations.
Key locations such as Someshwara Temple, Ullal and the New Mangalore Port are included in the proposed route. State-of-the-art electric and diesel catamaran boats will be deployed, equipped with essential amenities to ensure a high standard of comfort and operational efficiency.
A comprehensive Feasibility Report (FR) will assess the project's viability, presenting a detailed cost-benefit analysis, market potential, operational strategies and environmental considerations.
"The report will objectively evaluate the project's merits and challenges, providing crucial information for decision-makers, stakeholders and investors," they said.
Officials in the port and fisheries subdivision told PTI that key areas of analysis has been based on assessing the potential to decongest old port areas, exploring the feasibility of cargo movement using Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) water metros, examining water level variations influenced by tidal flows, integration with feeder services to ensure seamless last-mile connectivity, demand forecasts over a 25-year period, based on extensive socio-economic research of usage and utility of the MWMP.
The project's Terms of Reference (ToR) emphasise sustainable development, involving thorough site identification, user demand assessments and environmental impact studies. Comprehensive surveys such as LIDAR mapping, bathymetric studies and topographical analysis will ensure accurate planning and implementation, the officials told.
Furthermore, technical collaborations with national institutes of repute will support studies on wave tranquillity, vessel height clearance and infrastructure recommendations for jetties and repair facilities, they said.
A detailed environmental monitoring programme will assess air and water quality, noise levels and aquatic biodiversity in line with Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEF&CC) guidelines, the officials added.
The officials of the Maritime Board said the MWMP promises significant economic and environmental benefits, from easing traffic congestion to reducing air pollution. The project will also explore non-fare revenue streams and develop models to ensure financial sustainability.
A socio-economic impact assessment will measure the project's contribution to regional development, backed by projected revenue from passenger fares and ancillary services, a senior official said.
The Board also aims at championing cleaner and greener transportation and to set a precedent for sustainable urban mobility, positioning Mangaluru as a progressive city that leverages its waterways, he added.
