New floating bridge ready at Malpe beach in Udupi
Mangaluru, Dec 18: A new floating bridge has been installed at the Malpe beach in Udupi district to enthral tourists during the current season.
The tourism department authorities had dismantled the first floating bridge in the state at Malpe in May last, just days after its inauguration citing security reasons. Several videos that went viral on social media showed that the bridge was damaged.
The new floating bridge, which is 150 feet long, has been erected with new safety features. Three entrepreneurs have got the floating bridge built at a cost of Rs 80 lakh.
The bridge will be opened soon for the public after getting a stability report from a team of experts from Kerala who will be coming to inspect the bridge. The condition of the sea is being constantly monitored, sources said.
According to tourism department sources, more than 4,000 people visit the beach every day and the number peaks to around 10,000 during weekends and vacations.
The district administration has also enhanced safety measures at the facilities on the beach to protect tourists from dangerous situations, the sources added.
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NIA registers case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal
New Delhi (PTI): The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday registered a case to probe recovery of 79 crude bombs in poll-bound West Bengal, officials said.
The move came following a directive by the Union Home Ministry in this regard, they said.
In pursuance to the home ministry's order, the anti-terror agency on Sunday registered a case, which was originally filed at Uttar Kashi police station, Bhangar division, Kolkata on Saturday, and took up the investigation, an NIA spokesperson said in a late night statement.
"The case pertains to recovery of 79 crude bombs and other incriminating materials by Kolkata police, which were being stored at a spot, thereby endangering human life and property," the spokesperson said.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had directed the West Bengal Police to launch a special drive to arrest those involved in illegal manufacturing of crude bombs in the poll-bound state, an official said.
It asserted that all cases related to the making of any such explosive would be probed by the National Investigation Agency, the official said.
The directive came after the police recovered a large number of crude bombs from the house of a person, allegedly a TMC worker, at Bhangar in South 24 Parganas district, days ahead of the second and final phase of the assembly polls in the state.
The explosives were recovered during a search at the residence of Rafikul Islam following specific inputs, the official said.
The poll panel also issued a warning to senior police officers across the state over any lapse in maintaining law and order before the April 29 polling.
The first phase of the assembly elections in West Bengal was held on April 23, while the second phase will take place on April 29. Votes will be counted on May 4.
A record 93.19 per cent turnout has been recorded in the first round of polling. Bhangar will vote in the second phase.
