Mangaluru’s underground cabling plan will be implemented at an estimated cost of ₹166 crore, Karnataka Assembly Speaker and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister U.T. Khader said at a Kannada Rajyotsava programme in the city on Sunday. He also announced that the Ullal taluk hospital would be started at Mudipu and said ration cards would be issued soon to eligible applicants who had applied for BPL cards.
Khader made the announcements while addressing the district-level Kannada Rajyotsava event organised by the Dakshina Kannada district administration at Nehru Maidan in Mangaluru. He hoisted the flag and received the ceremonial guard of honour before speaking about the region’s preparedness for climate-related pressures.
The minister said the district had not received adequate rainfall this year and warned that drinking-water problems could emerge as early as January, alongside an increase in heat. He called for preparations to address the effects of climate variability. The statement links the proposed civic works to a wider concern over the reliability of essential urban services during periods of water stress and higher temperatures.
Khader did not provide details at the event on the length of cabling to be placed underground, the areas to be covered, the executing agency, the source of funds or the implementation schedule. The announcement nevertheless places underground electricity infrastructure among the immediate projects highlighted by the district administration for Mangaluru.
The minister also said the Ullal taluk hospital would be started at Mudipu. No project timeline, bed capacity, land details or construction status were provided in the report. The facility would add to the public health infrastructure planned for the Ullal area, but the announcement did not specify the administrative process or funding arrangements for starting operations.
On welfare delivery, Khader said applicants who had submitted requests for Below Poverty Line ration cards would receive them soon. The report did not state how many applications were pending or identify a distribution deadline.
The programme also included remarks on language and administration. Khader congratulated Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for declaring Tulu the state’s second administrative language, describing it as an honour for Tulu Nadu. He said Kannada should receive a respected place in homes, schools, administration and technology, while arguing that Kannada pride should not mean excluding 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 comments connected the state’s language debate with the use of Kannada in public administration and digital systems.
The event was attended by Dakshina Kannada MP Captain Brijesh Chota, legislators Vedavyas Kamath, Deputy Commissioner Darshan H.V., Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Vinayak Karbhari, Mangaluru City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, Superintendent of Police Dr K. Arun and Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Rahul Ratnam Pandey.
The administration felicitated 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 Theresa School for their performances in the parade.
