Mangaluru : The 72nd Republic Day was celebrated at the Nehru Maidan on January 26, Tuesday on behalf of the DK District Administration.

District-in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary hoisted the Indian Tri-colour after receiving the guard of honour at Nehru Maidan Ground.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the various initiatives of the Union and the state governments and also mentioned that the a 450-kilometer long natural gas pipeline between Kochi and Mangalore at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore. A fishing port at Kulai costing 196.51 crores. The first Coast Guard Academy of the nation would come up at Kenjar near Bajpe. He said the Centre has provided a grant of Rs 1,000 crore for this project.

The Minister said a new 11 storied market complex would come up at a cost of Rs 144 crore in place of the existing old central market building and added that a swimming pool of international standards would be constructed at Emmekere at a cost of Rs 22 crores. He said the Centre has given its go ahead for a bus terminus at Pumpwell at a cost of Rs 445 crores.

DK Deputy Commissioner Dr Rajendra K V, City Police Commissionre N Shashi Kumar, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, MLA Vedavyas Kamath, Mayor Diwaker Pandeshwar, Mangaluru TP Chief Mohammad Monu and others were present.