New JV waiting for PNGRB to float tenders for city gas distribution project

GAIL India and Karnataka State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corp (KSIIDC) have formed a joint venture company to set up city gas distribution (CGD) network for Bangalore households and fuel for CNG-run vehicles. The new JV, ‘Karnataka Natural Gas Limited’ (KNGL), apart from Bangalore, may also develop CGD networks in major cities and towns in the districts along which the Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline alignment passes, a top government official said.

Demand for liquefied natural gas likely to go up in international market

The shutting down of nuclear power plants in Japan in the wake of the disaster borne out of massive tremor and tsunami there will have an impact on the energy scenario in Kerala. Projects based on liquefied natural gas (LNG), including the project to be commissioned in Kochi later this year, will have to chalk out strategies to face the increased demand for LNG in the international market.

Priority should be given for proper drinking water supply in urban areas.

Mr A.G. Kodgi, Chairman of Taskforce on Implementation of Recommendations of the Third Finance Commission of Karnataka, said this while addressing the representatives of urban local bodies here on Tuesday.

Later when presspersons drew his attention on the recent water supply problem to industries in Mangalore, he said all sectors – including industries and agriculture – should get water. But that should not be done at the cost of drinking water.

The Karnataka High Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre as well as the State government for allegedly damaging River Phalguni near Mangalore.

The Division Bench comprising Justice D V Shylendra Kumar and Justice K Govindarajulu issued the notices while hearing a public interest litigation filed by Pius Arun D’ Souza and others from Melakoppala and Attrebel villages in Mangalore.

India has offered Qatar stake in some of the major petro projects, including the petrochemicals complex at Dahej in Gujarat, Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC's) LNG project in Ennore, Tamil Nadu, BPCL's petrochemical project in Kochi, petrochemical project in Mangalore and investment opportunity in the Paradip refinery and petrochemical project to further enhance its strategic partnership and ties.

Tremors: Residents and fishermen in coastal areas put on tsunami alert

Bangalore and most parts of Karnataka are located in the least (seismic) active zone in the country, according to the seismic map of Indian Meteorological Department. The country is divided into five different zones, depending on the seismic activities. While zone one has the least activity, zone five has the highest. Parts of Malnad and Coastal regions of the State fall in zone two and three.

Until three years ago, several parts of the city received water only for a couple of hours a day, activists say. But the situation has improved now for different reasons.

President of the Nagarika Hitarakshana Samithi G. Hanumanth Kamath told The Hindu that water supply and distribution had improved in the last three years and wastage has reduced because of the new water supply lines installed with funds from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan.

KOCHI: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has cleared the Kochi-Koottanad-Bangalore-Mangalore pipeline project. Though the MoEF has given the ‘go ahead’, the details are yet to be received, a top official with the Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) said.“The implementation of the project is a joint effort involving different departments. Clearance by the MoEF is a primary step towards the realisation of the project,” Vandana Chanana, general manager, (corporate communication), GAIL, told Express.

People suffering from diseases suspected to be caused by exposure to aerial spraying of endosulfan will be provided free treatment at a medical college in Mangalore.

As per a memorandum signed by the district administration and Yenepoya Medical College in Mangalore, the hospital would provide free treatment and required medicines to the victims while the district administration would bear the cost of the medical bill.

Though all the 203 GPs of the district won the Nirmal Gram Puraskar, the development model crashed like pack of cards within in no time of winning the award.

Taking note of this, the Zilla Panchayat has taken steps to sustain the works undertaken during the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) by appointing NGOs as nodal agencies to each of the five taluks, with an aim to monitor hygiene and create awareness.