Mangaluru’s underground cabling project will be implemented at a cost of ₹166 crore, Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister U.T. Khader said at a Kannada Rajyotsava programme in the city on Sunday. He also warned that the district should prepare for drinking-water stress and rising heat linked to inadequate rainfall.
Khader hoisted the national flag at the event organised by the Dakshina Kannada district administration at Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru. After receiving the guard of honour, he said rainfall had not been adequate this year and that signs of drinking-water shortages and increased heat could emerge as early as January.
“We have to be prepared to face the impact of climate variability,” Khader said, according to Prajavani. His warning places water availability and heat preparedness alongside the district’s immediate infrastructure priorities, although the report did not provide details of a specific drought-response plan, funding allocation or implementation schedule.
The minister said the underground electricity-cabling project would be taken up in the city with an allocation of ₹166 crore. The announcement did not specify the areas to be covered, the agencies responsible for execution, the project timeline or whether the work would be carried out in phases. These details will determine how the project affects roads, footpaths, traffic movement and other public utilities during construction.
Khader also said that an Ullal taluk hospital would be started at Mudipu. The report did not state the hospital’s proposed capacity, construction timeline, funding structure or the services planned for the facility. He further said that ration cards would be distributed soon to applicants who had applied for Below Poverty Line cards.
The statements were made during a programme that also focused on language and public administration. Khader congratulated Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for declaring Tulu the state’s second administrative language, calling it an honour for the Tulu-speaking region. He said Kannada should receive a respected place in homes, schools, administration and technology, while stressing that Kannada pride should not mean distancing other languages.
He urged young people to learn languages from around the world without forgetting Kannada and said the language should contribute to technological development. The programme included recognition for 54 organisations and 120 individuals for achievements in different fields. Awards were also presented to the Guides team from SDM School, Urwa Ashoknagar, and the Road Safety boys’ team from St Teresa’s School for their parade performance.
Member of Parliament Captain Brijesh Chota, legislators Vedavyas Kamath, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V., Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Vinayak Karbhari, City Police Commissioner Sudhir Kumar Reddy, Superintendent of Police Dr K. Arun and Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey attended the event.
