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Kural Tulu Touch, a digital Tulu keyboard that allows users to type directly in Tulu script on messaging platforms such as WhatsApp was launched in Bengaluru on October 4, exclusively for Android smartphone users.

Harshith Devadiga and Chaitra Poojary, both residents of Udupi, developed the mobile keyboard application on the request of Jai Tulunadu and the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy. The duo developed an app called Baravu Saravu three years ago to promote the learning of the Tulu language. The app features a Tulu dictionary, language learning videos and other resources aimed at helping users learn and understand Tulu.

Harshith, a BTech engineer, said he used the Kotlin programming language, Flutter software development kit and Firebase backend services to develop the Tulu-script keyboard as a feature within the Baravu Saravu app.

Users can install the Baravu Saravu app, access the Kural Tulu Touch feature and enable it through their keyboard settings. Harshith said Kural Tulu Touch currently does not send Tulu text messages directly. Instead, the Tulu script is sent in the form of stickers. He said the team is now working on additional features, including tools to translate Kannada and English into Tulu script. The developers are also working on bringing support for the Tulu-script keyboard to iPhone users.

Veteran actor Nana Patekar, known for his powerful dialogue delivery, distinctive expressions and unique acting style, reportedly died of a heart attack at his residence in Goa early today, leaving film lovers shocked.

A three-time National Award winner, Patekar began his career in theatre and had developed a warm connection with the people of coastal Karnataka when he visited Mangaluru for an event. He also showcased his affection for the Tulu language by speaking in Tulu during the programme.

“Daane encha ullar, math saukyana, illag podhu barpe, Ganganara parkana...” he had said, speaking fluently in Tulu and winning the appreciation of the audience.

A video of Patekar speaking at the launch of the six-day Nehada Neyge theatre festival, organised by Nirdingatha at the St Aloysius (Deemed to be University) in Mangaluru, has now resurfaced and is going viral on social media.

Known also for his outspoken views, Patekar had said in Mangaluru that people should never compromise on their convictions. “Our vote is our identity. We get this opportunity once every five years and should make proper use of it. Those who do not use this opportunity and do not vote can be considered true traitors to the country,” he had said.

A new keyboard that allows users to type directly in the Tulu script has been launched for Android smartphones, marking another significant step toward bringing the coastal Karnataka language into the digital space.

Named 'Kural Tulu Touch', the keyboard was developed by software developers Harshith Devadiga and Chaithra Poojary. It was officially launched during the Tulunada Janapada Sambhrama organised by the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy in Bengaluru recently.

The keyboard is currently available to Android users via the 'Baravu Saravu' app. Once enabled through the "New Keyboard" option, users can type in the Tulu script across various applications, including WhatsApp, switch between Tulu and other keyboards, and even convert their typed text into shareable stickers for digital chats.

Bringing Tulu script to everyday communication

Designed with a familiar mobile keyboard layout, Kural Tulu Touch simplifies typing in the Tulu script. It supports Tulu letters, numbers, gunithakshara, and votthakshara, allowing users to accurately form words and combinations required by the script.

According to the developers, the goal was to make the Tulu script practical for everyday digital conversations rather than confining it strictly to educational or archival purposes. The team completed the keyboard's development in about two weeks, utilizing Flutter for the application and Firebase for the backend.

The project is an extension of a Tulu learning application the team built approximately three years ago. Harshith Devadiga noted that one of the main technical challenges was accurately mapping the Tulu font to the keyboard layout, which is crucial for users to correctly identify and type characters on a small screen.

Sharath Kodavoor, a founding member of Jai Tulunad, stated that the initiative aims to bring the CIIL-approved Tulu script into the digital realm, emphasizing that correct character mapping is essential to prevent user confusion.

A comprehensive learning platform

Beyond the keyboard, the Baravu Saravu app serves as a comprehensive learning resource. It features a Tulu dictionary, basic sentences, audio-based learning materials, and heritage photographs to provide cultural context. Users can also suggest new words for the dictionary, which are reviewed before being added.

Banashri Avinash, who contributed Tulu-script learning content and videos to the app, highlighted that the platform offers practical tools for those interested in learning and practising the traditional script.

Building on Unicode recognition

The launch of the keyboard capitalizes on the recent inclusion of the Tulu-Tigalari script in the Unicode Standard. In 2024, the Unicode Consortium added 80 Tulu characters in Unicode 16, establishing the technical foundation needed for digital platforms to support the script and for developers to build fonts and keyboards.

This technological advancement—achieved through years of dedication by Tulu scholars and organisations like the Tulu Academy—allows young people, who primarily communicate via smartphones, to use their traditional script instead of relying on Kannada, English, or Latin transliteration.

While the Kural Tulu Touch keyboard is currently exclusive to Android platforms, the developers plan to release an iOS version in the future to cater to Apple device users.

Tulu organisations across the coastal region are preparing to observe Tulu Script Day with a series of programmes on October 9 and 10, following the Karnataka Cabinet’s recent decision to recognise Tulu as the second additional official language for administrative and government purposes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Observed annually on October 10, Tulu Script Day marks the birth anniversary of Venkataraja Puninchathaya, a noted scholar, researcher and author who made significant contributions to the preservation, study and promotion of Tulu language and literature.

The celebrations this year are expected to assume added significance following the state government’s announcement on Tulu recognition at the Cabinet meeting held in Mangaluru.

Organisations including the Tulu World Foundation, Tuluva Mahasabha and several local bodies are planning programmes aimed at creating awareness about the traditional Tulu script and encouraging its use among younger generations.

Programmes planned across coastal region

Rajesh Alva, founder of the Tulu World Foundation, said the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy had declared October 10 as Tulu Script Day in honour of Puninchathaya.

According to Alva, programmes will be held at several locations across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasaragod and other parts of the coastal region on October 9 and 10.

Events are planned at places including Mulki, Karkala and Kasaragod, with organisers planning activities centred on Tulu script awareness and the legacy of Puninchathaya.

“Puninchathaya made monumental contributions to preserving, teaching and promoting the Tulu script. Our aim is to popularise the ancient Tulu script, also known as Tigalari, among the younger generation,” Alva said.

The programmes will seek to introduce participants, particularly students and young people, to the history and characteristics of the traditional script.

Focus on Tigalari script

The traditional script associated with Tulu is also widely referred to as Tigalari. While Tulu is currently written by many people using Kannada, Malayalam and Roman scripts, Tulu organisations have been seeking to revive greater awareness and use of the traditional script.

Alva said the objective of the celebrations was not only to commemorate Puninchathaya but also to encourage younger generations to learn and use the traditional script.

He pointed to the existence of numerous historical documents that provide evidence of the long literary and cultural legacy associated with the Tulu script.

Continued research into such documents, he said, could provide further insights into the history, development and evolution of the language and its script.

The organisers hope that awareness programmes and practical writing sessions will make the script more accessible to students and younger Tulu speakers.

Tuluva Mahasabha directs local units

The Tuluva Mahasabha has directed its state, district, zonal and local units to organise at least one programme in their respective jurisdictions as part of Tulu Script Day.

The organisation has planned a range of activities designed to introduce the script and its cultural significance to the public.

These include introductory sessions on Tulu Lipi, training workshops, memorial meetings dedicated to Puninchathaya and lectures focusing on the history of the script.

Tulu script writing competitions for students are also planned, providing young participants with an opportunity to learn and practise the traditional script.

Book exhibitions and awareness campaigns will form another component of the celebrations.

Remembering Venkataraja Puninchathaya

The celebrations will also focus on the contributions of Venkataraja Puninchathaya to Tulu literature and scholarship.

Puninchathaya devoted much of his work to documenting, studying and promoting Tulu language and literature. His contribution to the preservation and teaching of the Tulu script has made his birth anniversary an important occasion for organisations working for the language.

The observance of Tulu Script Day is intended to keep that legacy relevant among younger generations while creating wider public interest in the traditional writing system.

Memorial meetings and lectures planned during the celebrations will provide an opportunity for scholars, language activists and members of the public to discuss Puninchathaya’s work and the historical importance of Tulu script.

Cabinet decision adds significance

The Script Day programmes come soon after the Karnataka Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, where the government announced recognition of Tulu as the second additional official language for administrative and government purposes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

The decision has given fresh momentum to organisations seeking greater recognition and institutional support for the language.

For Tulu organisations, the recognition and the annual Script Day observance together provide an opportunity to focus attention not only on the spoken language but also on its traditional literary heritage.

The organisations are now seeking to use the celebrations to encourage wider awareness of Tulu Lipi and its historical significance.

Students at centre of awareness drive

A major focus of this year’s programmes will be encouraging students to learn the script.

Writing competitions, introductory classes and training workshops are expected to help participants gain basic familiarity with Tulu Lipi.

Organisers believe that introducing the script at a young age could help preserve knowledge of the traditional writing system and create a new generation of readers and researchers.

The planned book exhibitions will also showcase literature and historical material connected with Tulu language and script, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about the region’s linguistic heritage.

With programmes planned across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kasaragod and other areas, Tulu organisations are seeking to turn Tulu Script Day into a wider public awareness campaign.

The celebrations on October 9 and 10 are therefore expected to combine remembrance of Venkataraja Puninchathaya with efforts to promote the traditional script and encourage its continued study and use among younger generations.

Renowned writers play a vital role in the growth of a language, and Amrutha Someshwara made an immense contribution to the development of Tulu, said Karnataka Sahitya Academy president L.N. Mukundaraj.

“Just as Adikavi Pampa contributed to Kannada and Shakespeare to English, Amrutha Someshwara was like Shakespeare to Tulu,” he said while inaugurating the ‘Amrutha Manthana’ programme held in memory of the late writer at St Aloysius College here on Sunday.

Mukundaraj said Someshwara’s writings upheld humanity and compassion above all religions and had the potential to promote secular values in the coastal region.

Kannada Development Authority president Dr Purushottama Bilimale said Someshwara played a major role in promoting Tulu language, culture and traditions after Paniyadi. Through his teaching career, he introduced Tulu culture to younger generations, while his devotional songs reflected pure devotion without worldly demands, he said.

Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy president Taranath Gatti Kapikad said Someshwara could have achieved national recognition alongside Chandrashekhara Kambara and Girish Karnad had he written more plays in Kannada or English. However, his contribution to Tulu remained unparalleled, he said.

Scholar and former vice-chancellor Prof B.A. Vivek Rai, who presided over the programme, recalled Someshwara’s efforts to promote Yakshagana in Tulu at a time when there was opposition to the idea. His contribution to the six-volume Tulu dictionary was also significant, Rai said, adding that programmes such as ‘Amrutha Manthana’ should be held regularly to introduce his legacy to younger generations.

St Aloysius University Pro-Chancellor Dr Melwyn D’Cunha described Someshwara as a socially conscious thinker and advocate of human values who expressed his views frankly but gracefully.

Achintya Rai, runner-up in the junior category of Zee Kannada’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Little Champs 2026, was felicitated on the occasion.

Someshwara’s son, Dr Chetana Someshwara, recalled that his father never chased opportunities but gracefully declined those that came his way.

The programme, organised jointly by various literary and cultural organisations and Someshwara’s family, began with the unveiling of a plaque commemorating his song Enna Devaragudi.

Senior journalist and Bahuroopi Foundation member G.N. Mohan compered the event, while lecturer Rajeshwari Chetan welcomed the gathering.

The inaugural session was followed by seminars and discussions on Someshwara’s literary works and the cultural programme ‘Amruthagana’.

Tulu Koota Udupi will organise a special ‘Tuluvere Dibbana’ procession and cultural programme in Udupi on October 4 to celebrate the recognition of Tulu as an official language of Karnataka.

Koota president B. Jayakar Shetty told reporters in Udupi on Monday (September 28) that the procession will begin at 3 p.m. from the Kunjibettu rickshaw stand and proceed to the IYC Hall of Yakshagana Kalaranga, with the members of Tulu Koota Udupi and various Tulu organisations taking part. The main celebration will be held at 4 p.m., followed by the presentation of the S.U. Paniyadi Memorial Tulu Novel Award, sponsored by Vishwaprabha.

Karnataka govt’s decision to accord Tulu additional official-language status for administrative purposes in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi has renewed calls for similar recognition in Kasaragod, Keralam.

Speaking to TOI, Manjeshwar MLA AKM Ashraf said he would raise the issue in the Keralam legislative assembly during the next session.

“Tulu should also be made an official second language in Kasaragod like in Karnataka. The district is part of ‘Tulunadu’ and has a large Tulu-speaking population after Malayalam,” he said.

Ashraf also drew attention to the Kerala Tulu Academy, saying a new committee had not been appointed and the academy had received inadequate attention during the previous CPM-led govt. He said he would take up the matter with the govt and seek adequate funding for the academy.

“If a new committee is appointed and funds are provided, the academy can function effectively,” he said.

S Vighnaraj, former director of the Sri Dharmasthala Culture Research Foundation, said Kasaragod had a rich body of historical evidence relating to Tulu. He said Tulu manuscripts had been found in several parts of the district, including Jodukallu, Kayyar and Perla, and referred to Tulu inscriptions at Kumbla, Bekal, Ananthapuram and Madhur.

Tulu writer Kushalakshi Kanwatheertha of Manjeshwar said several cultural practices of the Tulu community had survived in the region.

Recognition as a regional language could help strengthen Tulu and benefit Tulu-speaking children in education, as well as in employment and interactions with govt offices, she said. Such recognition in Keralam could also strengthen Tulu’s long-standing demand for inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, she added.

Utham Urlithadka, president of the Jai Tulunadu’s Kasaragod unit, said the organisation was pursuing the demand with the authorities and planned to approach the district administration, the Keralam govt and legislators.

National award-winning actor Roopashree Vorkady, a Kasaragod native, said the district’s close association with Tulunadu and the Tulu language should be reflected in greater official recognition.

Kasaragod has a strong Tulu-speaking community, and more research and publications on the language in the district would help create greater awareness of its linguistic and cultural history, she said. She also highlighted the significant contribution of Kasaragod artists to Tulu theatre and cinema.

“Almost all artists from Kasaragod work in Tulu,” she said, adding that the language remained an important part of the region’s cultural life.

Actors such as Prakash Thuminad and Roopesh Shetty are among those from Kasaragod associated with Tulu cinema and theatre.

The Karnataka government took the right decision by restricting the status to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The notification implementing the decision should clearly specify various stages of implementation.

The government recently issued an order recognising Tulu as an additional official language, in addition to Kannada.

It is not an entirely new concept, though. Many Indian states have adopted multiple official or additional official languages under constitutional provisions.

It is not an entirely new concept, though. Many Indian states have adopted multiple official or additional official languages under constitutional provisions.

West Bengal, for example, has recognised 11 additional official languages. In certain cases, the criterion has been based on a significant proportion of the local population speaking the language, and recognition can be restricted to specific geographical areas where the language is widely used.

The Karnataka government took the right decision by restricting the status to Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The notification implementing the decision should clearly specify various stages of implementation

Administration at all levels, from village to district, should gradually become bilingual. Kannada, being the state language, will naturally continue to be used, while Tulu will be used as an additional official language.

People should be able to communicate in Tulu with officials of local bodies like gram panchayat or zilla panchayat, without having to seek special permission.

They should be able to submit applications and appeals in Tulu, with officials required to respond in the language wherever necessary arrangements are made.

The next important step would be translating administrative rules, regulations and relevant laws from Kannada to Tulu. The government should appoint translators at village, taluk and district levels.

IAS and IPS officers who come to Karnataka from other states already receive training in Kannada prior to posting.

Similarly, Mangaluru should have a specialised training centre on the lines of the Administrative Training Institute in Mysuru, to train commissioners, tahsildars and officers of revenue and forest departments in Tulu.

A comprehensive Tulu administrative glossary should be prepared, like the ‘Adalita Padakosha’ in Kannada.

Such a glossary should provide equivalent Tulu terminology for Kannada administrative words and expressions.

This work should ideally be undertaken in Mangaluru, bringing together scholars proficient in both Kannada and Tulu, along with administrators.

Workshops involving linguists, officials and language experts could help create a practical administrative vocabulary. The local government plays a major role in implementation. People, Tulu Academy, other Tulu organisations, scholars and others should join hands with officials.

The implementation is a continuous dialogue between Tulu people and local administration. So, the government should create space for a dialogue between local administration and Tulu people.

The Tulu Academy should lead from front, from the stage of drafting of notification to actual implementation.

The question of script remains an important issue. There is a traditional Tulu script and hundreds of manuscripts and palm-leaf manuscripts are available in it. Young people are attempting to popularise the script through digital media.

However, it will not be practical to expect the entire population to learn the traditional Tulu script immediately. Therefore, Kannada script can continue to be used for Tulu for administrative and wider public purposes. Tulu script should certainly be promoted in the digital sphere as an important symbol of Tulu identity. At the same time, Kannada script should continue to be used widely so that Tulu can reach people across Karnataka.

Tulu should also embrace digital communication. If a member speaks in Tulu in the Assembly, the speech could be simultaneously interpreted into Kannada.

Similarly, if the Speaker speaks in Kannada, it could be made available in Tulu through digital interpretation. Tulu literature, books and poetry should also be made available online. The 6-volume Tulu dictionary edited by Dr U P Upadhyaya and Susheela Upadhyaya should be digitised and made available in a searchable, condensed format.

For decades, scholars and visitors have travelled to the coastal region to study Tulu’s culture, bhoota worship traditions, Kambala, food habits and other cultural practices. This has already generated both geographical and cultural tourism. Recognition of Tulu will further strengthen this identity.

The Tulu film industry, meanwhile, has struggled to raise adequate finance for film production. Government subsidies have traditionally been viewed as a form of assistance. With greater recognition of Tulu, there could be a stronger basis for demanding institutional support.

Tulu speakers should seek greater representation not only in administration, but also in films, theatre, literature, performing arts and other cultural fields.

If a Tulu-speaking person approaches a cooperative or private bank, for example, staff should be able to understand and respond to the person in Tulu.

Tulu can also be spoken in courts, as like in Tamil Nadu. Members in Assembly and Council can now speak authoritatively in Tulu and the speaker should make arrangements for its translation, like in Parliament.

Tulu teachers received salaries from the Tulu Academy. With the recognition, teachers will not only receive salaries from the government, but also other facilities.

Ultimately, the most important benefit of recognition is empowerment through identity. Identity means being able to say, “This is my language.”

Will recognition as an additional official language help revive the decades-old demand for Tulu’s inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution? That remains a larger question.

The author is an eminent Kannada scholar, folklorist, writer and researcher. He was the first chairperson of Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy.

The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy has officially declared its prestigious Annual Honorary Awards for the calendar years 2025 and 2026. According to an official press statement issued by the President of the Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy, Taranath Gatti Kapikad, the awardees have been chosen in recognition of their distinguished lifetime contributions to Tulu literature, research, folklore, and performance arts.

For the year 2025, veteran scholar Prof. B. Shivarama Shetty has been chosen for the award under the Literature and Research category, while Kuddu Koraga has been selected for his dedicated service to Folklore. Renowned actress and theater artist Usha Bhandari (Bengaluru) has been nominated under the Drama and Cinema category. For the year 2026, distinguished scholar K.P. Rao will be conferred the honor for Literature and Research, Nemukuru Parava for Folklore, and prominent artist Sudhakar Bannanje (Bengaluru) for his contributions to Drama and Cinema.

Each Honorary Award comprises a cash prize of ₹50,000 along with a citation plaque and a memento. The grand award presentation ceremony is scheduled to be held on October 4 at the historic Ravindra Kalakshetra in Bengaluru, where dignitaries and cultural patrons will assemble to felicitate the awardees.

The sixth edition of Mangaluru Technovanza 2026, which begins here for two days on September 22, will focus its deliberations on four key growth engines: global capability centres (GCCs), data centres, start-ups and medtech, according to the Karnataka Digital Economy Mission (KDEM), the organiser of the event.

The main programme on September 23 will feature a fireside chat with Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home, Information Technology and Biotechnology, on the State’s vision for Mangaluru as the “Silicon Beach of India”.

The programme will bring together senior industry leaders and technology voices, including Ajay Vij, Senior Country Managing Director, Accenture India; Miguel Gonzalez Diaz, Managing Director, Carl Zeiss India; Vinay Shenoy, Managing Director, Infineon Technologies; Richard Lobo, Chief People Officer, Tech Mahindra; Rohith Bhat, Lead Industry Anchor, Mangaluru Cluster of KDEM; and B. Ravi, Director, National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NIT-K).

The event, at TMA Pai International Convention Centre, will bring together over 600 delegates, 70 start-ups, 60 GCCs, more than 20 investors and over 10 venture capital firms from across Karnataka, alongside more than 50 innovative technology exhibitions and industry-led conversations.

Silicon Beach Skills Report to be released

A KDEM release said that The Silicon Beach Skills Report 2026 will be released during the event on September 23.

The Mangaluru Vision dialogue on September 23 will feature B.V. Naidu, Chairman, KDEM; J.B.V. Reddy, Scientist-F & Head, Quantum Technology Cell, Department of Science and Technology, Union government; and L.K. Atheeq, Financial Advisor to the Chief Minister.

The agenda on September 23 will feature key technology conversations across GCCs, data centres, start-ups and MedTech.

Discussions will examine how technology, infrastructure and innovation can contribute to a future-ready and sustainable Mangaluru.

Representatives from Israel, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) and London & Partners will discuss international partnerships and market access.

The sessions include “Chips to Care: The Future of Tech in Electronics and MedTech” and “Mangaluru as India’s Next-Generation Data Centre Hub”. There will also be a fireside chat on “Mangaluru the Landing Station in GCC Orbit – ready? What and how we can do more.”

A startup pitching session, “Mangaluru Blue”, will take place on September 22. More than 100 startups have enrolled for this event.

Over the years, Mangaluru Technovanza has evolved as a platform for knowledge-sharing, start-up showcases, product launches, industry collaborations and conversations around the future of technology and entrepreneurship in the region. This year, the platform will look beyond the present to explore the opportunities, infrastructure and collaborations that can shape Mangaluru’s next decade of digital growth, KDEM said.

After relying for years on temporary measures such as stone bunds and sandbags to curb coastal erosion, the Karnataka government is preparing to implement a comprehensive and environmentally sustainable coastal protection project along the Dakshina Kannada coast. Around 15 years ago, permanent coastal protection works were undertaken in select areas at a cost of nearly Rs 800 crore with assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The government is now planning a new long-term shoreline management initiative.

The Karnataka Water Transport Board is implementing the Shoreline Management Plan (SMP) under the theme, ‘Our Coast, Our Lifeline: Protecting the Coast, Safeguarding Livelihoods’, covering a 37.34-km stretch of coastline in Dakshina Kannada district.

In accordance with the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the CRZ-2019 regulations, the National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM), Chennai, conducted a comprehensive scientific study on coastal protection and submitted its report to the Karnataka State Coastal Zone Management Authority.

The Karnataka Water Transport Board has been entrusted with preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) based on the recommendations made in the Shoreline Management Plan. The final project cost and the nature of the works will be determined after the DPR is completed.

The proposed project is expected to cost around Rs 250 crore. Under the plan, environmentally friendly measures such as artificial reefs and green coastal buffers will be adopted in locations including Panambur, instead of conventional stone revetments. The objective is to preserve the natural beauty of the coastline while protecting the interests of the fishing community.

Before preparing the DPR, a detailed scientific assessment was carried out to study factors contributing to coastal erosion, including wave intensity, wind patterns, cyclones, tidal surges, man-made structures, sand mining, river dams, and urbanisation.

Unlike temporary erosion-control measures, the project aims to adopt solutions that work in harmony with natural coastal processes, maintain environmental, economic, and social balance, reduce long-term risks and costs, and provide a safer coastline for future generations.

According to the SMP-2024, 12 locations in Dakshina Kannada district have been identified on a priority basis for coastal protection works. These include beaches at Battapady, Uchila, Someshwara, Red Rock, Mulki, Haleangady, Sasihithlu Ullal, Panambur, Hosabettu, Surathkal, and Surathkal Lighthouse area.

Assistant engineer of the ports department, Manohar Acharya, said the Shoreline Management Plan would be implemented to address coastal erosion in the district. He stated that the NCSCM has already submitted its report, and a public consultation has been held at Ullal. Similar meetings will be conducted at Surathkal and Mulki before the DPR is prepared and the project's estimated cost is finalised.

A major traffic bottleneck on the road leading to the renowned Kateel Sri Durgaparameshwari Temple is set to ease, with the govt sanctioning Rs 33 crore for its development.

Under the project, the road will be widened to 14 metres and a new bridge will be constructed parallel to the existing bridge, which dates back to 1936. The project is expected to improve traffic flow and provide safer, smoother access to the temple. In fact, devotees from various parts of the country visit the temple. Especially during festivals the footfall at the temple crosses one lakh.

However, proper approach roads has been a major inconvenience that the devotees face while travelling. Harinarayana Asranna, temple's priest, told TOI that road congestion has been one of the major issues that Kateel town has been facing. “It is mainly due to the state highway stretch that passes right in front of the temple. The temple management has been putting pressure on the govt to sanction funds for the development of the road. Following this, the state govt has sanctioned a new bridge as well as a widened bypass road for the state highway,” he said.

Stating that the govt has earmarked Rs 33 crore for the purpose, Asranna said that an estimation work in this regard is under progress. “A detailed project report will be prepared. Once the report is prepared, the tender process will begin. Once the DPR and tender process are completed, the work is likely to be completed in 2027-28,” he added. The temple has ample space for the parking. While the temple has permanent parking facilities to accommodate about 300 vehicles, additional arrangements are also being made, for the festival season, he added.

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