Police housing projects worth ₹2.87 crore are under way at two locations near Uppinangady in Dakshina Kannada, with 24 homes expected to become available to police personnel once the construction and renovation work is completed.
The projects involve the renovation of 12 homes at Berike in Nekkilaady and the construction of a new reinforced cement concrete building near Nekkilaady Junction. The housing facilities fall within the jurisdiction of Uppinangady police station.
At Berike, two three-storey buildings contain 12 homes. Each home has a hall, one room, a kitchen, a toilet, a bathroom and a small veranda. The housing complex is around 3.5 kilometres from Uppinangady police station.
The older buildings had faced several problems, including overgrown vegetation around the homes, snake sightings and water shortages. Police personnel had moved out of some homes and shifted to private buildings because of these issues. The government has sanctioned ₹22 lakh for renovation, and the work was reported to be about 90% complete. According to the contractor, the work is expected to finish within one or two months, after which all 12 homes at the site are expected to be available for police staff.
The Berike complex does not have a dedicated borewell. Residents had faced water shortages during summer, contributing to the decision by some occupants to move elsewhere. Uppinangady Police Sub-Inspector Sutesh said that installing a borewell along with the renovation would improve the facility. He also said that a house intended for a police officer at the site had become dilapidated, but funds for its renovation had not been released.
A separate police housing facility near Nekkilaady Junction was demolished after its homes became dilapidated. The government has sanctioned ₹2.65 crore for a new RCC building at the site. The project will include two buildings with a total of 12 homes and is expected to be completed by April, according to the report.
The Nekkilaady Junction site is around one kilometre from Uppinangady police station and is located in the centre of Nekkilaady town. The location is therefore expected to attract greater demand than the Berike housing complex. If both projects are completed as scheduled, 24 homes will be reserved for police personnel.
The report also noted that a house built for a senior police officer at Berike remains locked because it is unoccupied. Grass has grown around the property. Local residents have suggested that the surrounding area be cleaned and minor repairs carried out so that the government-owned house can be brought back into use.
The immediate milestones are the completion of the Berike renovation within one or two months and the scheduled completion of the new Nekkilaady Junction building by April.
