Coastal Karnataka witnessed an eventful year in 2013. While the region could not get enough basking over some great achievements, it also had to bow in shame due to some incidents. For expatriate workers in Middle East from Coastal Karnataka too 2013 was a memorable year for many reasons. A mixture of good, bad and ugly, here is the retro of the year 2013.
Mangalore-Dammam direct flight
With the launch of historic Mangalore-Dammam direct by Air India Express on April 3, one of the much awaited dreams of thousands of expatriates from Coastal Karnataka in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is fulfilled. Since then the flight is operating successfully.
Nitaqat law crisis
The strict implementations of the Nitaqat law by Saudi Arabia government following the end of grace period on November 4, turned the dreams of many expatriates from coastal Karnataka into a nightmare. Despite the benevolence of Saudi King, thousands of expatriates had to suffer due to the ruthless sponsors and cheater agents.
Year of gang-rape and murder
The gang-rape of a 22-year-old medical student of the prestigious Manipal University close on the heels of Delhi gang-rape led to widespread uproar in coastal Karnataka. SDM college student Saujanya's rape and murder case unleashed the brutality of rapists once again. Dozens of cases of rape, gang-rape and murders were reported throughout the year from twin districts of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.
Congress beats BJP
After several years, Congress party regained control over coastal districts of Karnataka. The Bharatiya Janata Party lost ground both in the Assembly and urban local body elections in Dakshina Kannanda and Udupi. Of eight assembly segments of Dakshina Kananda Congress managed to win seven and lost Sullia constituency with a small margin. Even though the Congress came to power in Mangalore City Corporation in the beginning of the year, the council could not be formed due to a case pending in high court. There is no Mayor in Mangalore since February 2013.
Gas tanker tragedy
The gas tanker mishap at Perne near Uppinangady on April 9 ranks among the worst disasters in the district with the death of 11 persons including women. A tanker carrying 16,000 litres of LPG from the HPCL plant on the outskirts of the city to Bangalore overturned at the curve at Perne on National highway 75. Those on their vehicles nearby were charred immediately, while houses by the road caught on fire. The delay in the response of the HPCL emergency team was also questioned. While non-government organisations estimated that property worth nearly Rs. 1.3 crore was destroyed in the blaze, compensation worth Rs. 43.2 lakh has been disbursed by HPCL.
Floods and landslides
Coastal Karnataka witnessed heavy rains during the monsoon this year. The twin districts were ravaged by floods and landslides on numerous occasions. On June 18, incessant rain and shoddy construction was responsible for triggering the collapse of a wall which crushed four persons to death at a Dalit colony in Bajpe. Four persons died, and vast tracts of land were submerged during the heavy rain on July 4.
Industrial growth
Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) was declared multi-product in September opening the door for other, non-petrochemical industries to set up there. Within a few days Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemical Limited (MRPL) commissioned its single point mooring (SPM) system off the Tannirbavi coast. Berth Number 13 was inaugurated at the New Mangalore Port before the year end.
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