Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 10: Karnataka health and Dakshina Kannada (DK) district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao on Friday issued a series of directives covering drinking water supply, healthcare infrastructure, environmental protection and political developments, following multiple review meetings and media interactions in Mangaluru.
Reviewing summer preparedness, the minister instructed officials to expedite ongoing multi-village drinking water projects and ensure uninterrupted supply across the district.
Five such projects are currently under way in rural areas, and their completion is expected to address water shortages in most villages. However, some works have been delayed due to forest land issues, and he directed departments to coordinate and resolve these hurdles promptly.
Zilla panchayat CEO Narvade Vinayak Karbari said projects are in progress in Beltangady, Kadaba, Bantwal and Ullal taluks and are likely to be completed within six to seven months. A Rs 1 crore proposal has also been submitted to replace gates at the Maravoor dam.
Mangaluru City Corporation commissioner Ravichandra Naik said 5.5 metres of water is available at Thumbe dam, ensuring stable city supply, with tankers deployed to serve elevated areas. The minister stressed that “under no circumstances should the public face drinking water shortages”.
He also expressed strong displeasure over the implementation of the Jal Siri project, noting that roads dug up for pipeline works have not been restored for long periods, disrupting traffic.
Officials from KUIDFC assured that a special drive would be undertaken to restore roads on priority.
Turning to healthcare, the minister directed officials to upgrade ESI hospitals and dispensaries to ensure comprehensive treatment for workers and their families. He said an agreement is being finalised to link ESI facilities with taluk and district government hospitals, enabling beneficiaries to access a wider network of care.
He also called for upgrading the Mangaluru ESI hospital with advanced services including diagnostics, surgeries and specialised care.
Officials said the ESI network in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi includes one hospital and 11 dispensaries, serving around 3.92 lac registered members and nearly 15 lac beneficiaries. Additionally, ESI services are being provided in 18 private hospitals in Dakshina Kannada and 11 in Udupi. The Mangaluru ESI hospital is being modernised at a cost of Rs 10 crore, with facilities such as ICU, operation theatres, laboratories and dialysis units being added.
Addressing environmental concerns, the minister ordered immediate removal of encroachments along riverbanks in the Sultan Bathery area, where construction debris has reportedly been dumped to reclaim land.
He directed officials to restore affected rivers to their original course and take strict action against violators. Police cases have already been registered, and a vehicle used for dumping has been seized.
Officials informed the meeting that pollution in the Nandini river near Surathkal-Mukka has been brought under control, while a Rs 39 crore sewage treatment plant has been tendered for the Baikampady industrial area to address industrial waste discharge. Steps are also being taken to extend underground drainage facilities in nearby residential areas and link them to treatment plants.
Speaking to reporters, the minister dismissed speculation linking by-election results with leadership change in the state. “There is no relation between by-election results and leadership change. The chief minister and deputy chief minister have already clarified this,” he said, adding that such decisions rest with the party high command.
He also flagged concerns over medicine shortages linked to Middle East tensions, which have delayed imports and raised costs. Warning of a growing gas shortage, he said, “We should clearly say there is a gas problem. In many places, food production has been reduced by 50%,” cautioning against downplaying the situation and calling for transparent communication and corrective measures.