Congress stages protest against shifting Mangaluru IT office to Goa

coastaldigest.com news network

September 9, 2020

Mangaluru, Sept 9: Dakshina Kannada District Congress Committee on Wednesday staged a protest in front of the Mini Vidhana Soudha here condemning the Union Government's decision to shift the office of the Principal Commissioner of Income Tax from Mangaluru to Goa.

Speaking on the occasion, District Congress President Harish Kumar said that the government has cheated the people of the district by deciding to shift the IT office from Mangaluru. He also questioned the silence of the local MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and MLAs over the issue and demanded the resignation of the MP.

MLA UT Khader who also spoke, said the government which has failed to bring new projects to the district, on the other hand, was interested in shifting prominent offices from here.

Former MLAs J R Lobo, Abhayachandra Jain, Opposition leader Abdul Ravoof, District Mahila Congress President Shalet Pinto and others participated in the protest.

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Clean and Green on Wheels: Mangaluru’s Push for Electric Public Transport

News Network

November 13,2024

In the heart of Mangaluru, where rising air pollution is spurring public health worries, voices are calling for a greener, cleaner shift in the city’s public transport. Leading this call is APD Foundation, a Mangaluru-based environmental NGO, which has urged Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre to mandate electric vehicle (EV) adoption in public transport.

Abdullah A Rehman, CEO of APD Foundation, emphasized in a formal letter to the minister that Mangaluru’s public transportation system—efficient and organized with both government and private players—could transition smoothly to EVs in stages. He suggested that government-backed financial incentives, partnerships with EV manufacturers, and collaborations with environmental groups could streamline the switch.

Rehman stressed the potential of EVs to cut down emissions, enhance air quality, and reduce noise levels, noting the quieter operation of electric buses. He confirmed that a copy of his letter was submitted to the Deputy Commissioner as well.

However, Dilraj Alva from the Dakshina Kannada City Bus Association noted potential challenges, explaining that the shift might take up to two years due to infrastructure and budget hurdles. Most EV buses, he explained, are procured through aggregators, not directly by individual operators. The addition of charging stations and other essential infrastructure further complicates the transition.

Alva also raised the economic concern: while diesel buses are priced between ₹30-40 lakh, electric buses can cost up to ₹1 crore. Reflecting on recent meetings with companies, including one in Manipal, he questioned the assumption that EVs are an absolute solution to pollution. “EVs aren’t entirely eco-friendly, especially when considering battery disposal,” he cautioned.

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