Mangaluru, June 26: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel has alleged that the Mullarapatna Bridge, which was the first bridge to be a victim of sand mafia, the negligence of officials has also caused the incident.

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, he said that the locals had sent a video to authorities two years ago, in which the damage caused by the sand mining, and weak pillars were shown. But the district administration did not stop sand mining which was going on near the bridge using machines. Sand mining took place continuously in the past with the support of the people who were in position earlier. The authorities must take precautionary steps well in advance. Now the bridge is collapsed which may disrupt traffic movement for nearly two years. 

"Now I have visited along with local MLA and instructed to provide a temporary arrangement," MP Nalin added.

Bridges that crossed 15 years must be inspected

"Gurupur Bridge is also posing a threat. Already a tender of Rs. 33 crore has been passed. Work is in progress. Even then it is the responsibility of the authorities to safeguard the bridge on an emergency basis. Meanwhile, the district officials along with experts must inspect those bridges that were constructed 15 years ago," MP Nalin Kumar added. 

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Kalaburagi: Two years after being expelled from the Janata Dal (Secular), former minister C.M. Ibrahim has announced that he will launch a new regional political party in Karnataka on January 24, reported Deccan Herald.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the Nava Karnataka Nirmana Andolana in Kalaburagi on Sunday, Ibrahim confirmed the birth of the new party.

The 77-year-old politician stated he would soon be meeting with other like-minded individuals to choose a symbol for the party.

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Ibrahim emphasised that the organisation would be guided by the principles of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and the architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

A veteran politician, Ibrahim served as Union Civil Aviation Minister during the tenure of H.D. Deve Gowda as Prime Minister and later headed the Karnataka unit of the Janata Dal (Secular). He was expelled from the JD(S) in 2023 on charges of anti-party activities.

His exit from the party followed sharp differences over the JD(S) decision to ally with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As the then state president of the JD(S), Ibrahim had publicly criticised the alliance, claiming it was finalised without his knowledge. He had also reportedly convened meetings of his supporters and expressed support for the INDIA bloc.