Karnataka effect: RJD, Congress stake claim for governments in Bihar, Goa
Panaji/Patna, May 17: The Congress in Goa and the RJD in Bihar on Thursday said they would ask the governors of their states to give them a chance to form the government the same way that BJP leader B.S. Yeddyurappa was sworn-in in Karnataka as the leader of the single largest party.
"If the Karnataka Governor can invite the Bharatiya Janata Party, the single largest party, to form the government, why can't the Goa Governor invite the Congress, the single largest party in Goa, to form the government here? Why two criteria for two states? Why double standards? Congress state President Girish Chodankar told reporters.
Chodankar demanded that Governor Mridula Sinha should follow in the footsteps of her Karnataka counterpart Vajubhai Vala and invite the Congress, which emerged as the single largest party in the Assembly after the 2017 Assembly elections, to form the government in the coastal state.
"We request Her Excellency to follow big brother Karnataka Governor and invite the Congress to form the Goa government to rectify a wrong."
The BJP won 13 seats in the 2017 Assembly elections, compared with 17 of the Congress.
However, after swift political maneuvering, the BJP staked claim to power with two regional parties and independent MLAs and formed a coalition government after getting the nod from Sinha.
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav too wanted Bihar Governor Satyapal Malik to invite his party to form the government as the leader of the single largest party in the state Assembly.
"I will meet the Governor along with our MLAs on Friday as we are the single largest party in Bihar," Tejashwi Yadav, who is also the Opposition leader in the Bihar Assembly, said.
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party was invited by the Karnataka Governor to form the government on the grounds that it was the single largest party, then the RJD also had the right to form the government.
"We will request the Bihar Governor to dismiss the state government and invite the RJD to form the government," he said.
In Karnataka, BJP's B.S. Yeddyurappa was sworn in as Chief MInister by Governor Vala, despite protests from the Congress and Janata Dal-Secular, which formed a post-poll coalition to bid for power.
The combine of the Congress and the JD-S too had staked its claim to forming a government by citing the support of 117 MLAs. The majority mark in the Karnataka assembly is 112 seats. The BJP has 104.
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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.
