13 kindergarten students injured in Himachal accident
Shimla, June 21: At least 13 kindergarten students were injured on Thursday when their school bus skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, police said.
The students, belonging to a private school in Sarkaghat area, were returning home from school when the driver lost control over the vehicle while negotiating a turn near Garli.
Five critically injured children were admitted to the Zonal hospital in Mandi, some 150 km from the state capital.
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Sea Plane, Heli Taxi planned under Coastal Tourism Development Plan: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that the government will formulate a Comprehensive Coastal Tourism Development Plan to utilise the tourism potential of Karnataka’s coastal districts.
Presenting the 2026–27 state budget in the Legislative Assembly, Siddaramaiah said connectivity between major coastal tourism destinations will be enhanced through Sea Plane and Heli Taxi services in collaboration with aviation and water adventure tourism partners. Joy Ride and River Cruise activities will also be promoted as part of the initiative.
The Chief Minister also announced measures to improve the overall experience of tourists visiting the state. An amount of Rs 1 crore will be allocated to provide soft skills training to taxi drivers, auto drivers and security personnel to enhance professionalism while interacting with visitors. A diploma course will also be introduced in selected universities to provide skill training for tourist guides.
To strengthen tourism infrastructure, the Gadag–Kappatagudda–Lakkundi tourism circuit will be developed. In Chikkamagaluru district, a ropeway will be constructed between Mullayanagiri–Seethalayyanagiri and Kaimara under the PPP model to promote tourism in the region.
Siddaramaiah said Rs 10 crore will be allocated for the development of integrated infrastructure under the Karnataka Exhibition Authority. In order to protect the state’s heritage sites, 1,000 monument volunteers will be identified and trained to help conserve 844 protected monuments and around 1,000 unprotected monuments. These volunteers will be included in the department’s recognised list.
The government has also prepared a comprehensive plan worth Rs 100 crore to develop Anjanadri Hill as a globally recognised tourist destination. The works will be taken up on priority after securing forest and environmental clearances from the Government of India and approval from UNESCO, he said.
