Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, June 30: In light of Wenlock District Hospital’s future expansion needs, district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has directed officials to identify and reserve land on the outskirts of Mangaluru.
The directive was issued during the quarterly Karnataka Development Programme (KDP) meeting held on Monday. Responding to MLA Harish Poonja’s concern about the hospital’s limited scope for expansion due to existing structures, the minister suggested finding suitable land, preferably near the city’s highway connection.
District health officer Dr Thimmayya informed that 8 acres of land are available near Moodushedde TB Hospital. Wenlock Hospital superintendent Dr Shivaprasad added that the current outpatient department will soon be vacated to begin construction of a new four-storey building.
MLA Harish Poonja also proposed the establishment of a dialysis unit and mortuary at Belthangady taluk hospital.
Minister Gundu Rao stated that Anganwadi centres and health sub-centres operating without land within the Mangaluru City Corporation limits would soon be allotted land from the corporation or revenue department.
Regarding the Emmekere swimming pool dispute between local swimming associations, the minister instructed the district administration to hold discussions and clarified that no infrastructure changes should be made without prior approval.
A key concern raised at the meeting was the shortage of staff in urban planning authorities, which is hampering tasks such as map approvals, 9/11 property records, and housing construction permits. The minister ordered that the necessary staff be appointed.
Zilla panchayat CEO Dr K Anand stated that construction should not be allowed where access to a public road is unavailable.
The minister also asked the Mangalore Urban Development Authority to publish a draft of the new Mangalore Master Plan before the next KDP meeting.
Deputy commissioner H V Darshan informed that measures have been initiated to allot land near Pumpwell for a KSRTC electric bus depot.
To resolve power supply issues in Sullia, the minister instructed KPTCL officials to address existing problems and expedite the construction of a 110 kV power line.