Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan conducted an inspection on Tuesday of the deteriorating roads at the KPT and Nanthoor junctions, alongside officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

During the inspection, Muhilan noted the severe traffic disruptions caused by large potholes in these heavily congested areas, which pose a significant risk to two-wheeler riders. He emphasized the urgency of repairs to ensure the roads are safe for vehicular traffic. The Deputy Commissioner directed that the potholes at Nanthoor Junction be covered with a paver finish and recommended a temporary system to improve conditions at KPT Junction.

In addition to addressing the immediate concerns at these junctions, Muhilan instructed officials to tackle areas where rainwater stagnates on service roads along Surathkal Road and other city highways. He also stressed the importance of filling potholes at Pumpwell and other critical roads to ensure they remain passable.

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Meanwhile, Mangaluru City Council Commissioner Anand announced that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the flyover at KPT, planned by the National Highways Authority, is ready, and construction will commence soon. In the interim, temporary pothole repairs will be carried out to maintain road usability.

The inspection was attended by National Highway Authority Project Director Abdullah Javed Azmi, MCC Deputy Commissioner Girish Nandan, MCC Executive Engineer Narendra Shenoy, and Mangaluru Traffic Department ACP Nazma Farooqui, all of whom were present to assess the situation and coordinate the necessary repair efforts.

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Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.

The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.

He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.

Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.

The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.

Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.

Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.

Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.

He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.

These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.

On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.

Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.

In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.

Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.

For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.

Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.