MP Brijesh Chowta urges centre to grant point of call status to Mangaluru airport
New Delhi: Dakshina Kannada MP Brijesh Chowta has demanded that Mangaluru International Airport be given Point of Call (TOC) status urgently.
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha under Rule 377, MP Chowta said that Mangaluru International Airport is a major aviation gateway for coastal Karnataka and neighbouring Kerala. The airport handled around 23.4 lakh passengers, including 7.15 lakh international passengers, during 2024-25. More than 16,800 flights were operated for it. This has registered a growth of more than 15% annually. He said that these figures highlight the importance of the airport in terms of growth and commercial promotion.
A significant number of people from Tulunadu regions work in Gulf and Middle Eastern countries. This working community relies heavily on Mangaluru airport for international travel. However, due to lack of point of call status, foreign airlines are unable to operate direct international services from here. Hence, passengers have to travel via Bengaluru or Cochin airports. This is causing various inconveniences to the NRI community, including high cost, long travel time, Brijesh Chowta has drawn the attention of the House.
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Granting the status to Mangaluru International Airport will enable direct international connectivity for the people of this region. It will also facilitate further expansion of airline operations. It will enable smooth travel for the working class abroad and their families.
Such air connectivity will naturally boost trade and investment activities here. It will also support and encourage regional industries like areca nut, cashew nut processing and petrochemicals. It will also complement the growth of the Mangalore Special Economic Zone, MP Chowta assured the House.
Providing direct international connectivity can not only boost the growth of tourism in the coastal region but also the progress in the education sector. It will also facilitate easy travel for students, researchers and visitors of prestigious institutions like NITK Suratkal and Manipal Institute of Technology to international forums, he said.
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UP govt committed to providing housing to needy: Adityanath
Gorakhpur (UP) (PTI): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday said the state government would ensure housing for the needy and extend adequate financial assistance for the treatment of those suffering from serious illnesses.
During his visit to Gorakhpur, he heard grievances of people at a ‘Janata Darshan’ programme held at the Gorakhnath Temple.
Addressing the gathering, Adityanath said the government is committed to ensuring that every eligible and needy person benefits from welfare schemes and that all public grievances are resolved effectively.
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He interacted with around 100 people and listened to their complaints individually at the Mahant Digvijaynath Smriti Bhavan premises, an official statement said.
The chief minister directed administrative and police officials to ensure time-bound, fair and satisfactory redressal of issues.
He also instructed the police to take prompt and strict action in matters related to law enforcement.
During the interaction, a woman raised her concern regarding lack of housing, to which the chief minister assured that she would be provided a house under a government scheme.
People seeking financial help for treatment of serious ailments were also assured that lack of funds would not hinder medical care.
Adityanath directed officials to promptly prepare estimates for advanced medical treatment of needy patients and ensure timely assistance.
