A new rural ambulance service has been launched in Nelyadi, Dakshina Kannada, to provide emergency healthcare access to people in surrounding areas amid expanding roads and increasing vehicle traffic. The service has been started by the Ashwatha Geleyara Balaga of Hosamajalu-Kaukrady, with the formal launch held on Sunday.
Sullia MLA Bhagirathi Murulya inaugurated the service by handing over the ambulance key. The initiative is intended to support residents of Nelyadi and nearby rural communities who require transport during medical emergencies.
Speaking at the event, Murulya praised the Ashwatha Geleyara Balaga for taking up a public-service activity that differs from the routine programmes generally conducted by youth organisations. She described the ambulance initiative as a socially useful intervention for the local community.
Dr Muralidhar, managing director of Nelyadi Ashwini Hospital, said several ambulances were already operating in Nelyadi but that the need for emergency ambulance services had increased. He linked the greater requirement to road expansion work and rising vehicle movement in the area.
The service is expected to assist residents in and around Nelyadi, particularly when timely transport is required to reach medical facilities. The report did not specify the ambulance’s operating hours, call number, service area, charges or the organisation’s arrangements for staffing and maintenance.
The launch comes as Nelyadi’s road environment is changing, with expansion activity and higher traffic volumes identified by local healthcare representatives as factors affecting emergency movement. In such settings, the availability of an additional ambulance can provide another local transport option, although the service’s operational capacity and response performance will depend on how it is managed after the launch.
Former Kaukrady gram panchayat president M.K. Ibrahim and Ashwatha Geleyara Balaga president Roshan also addressed the gathering. The event was attended by BJP district vice-president Rakesh Rai Kadenji, Sullia mandal secretary Ganesh Udanadaka, Puttur PLD Bank president Bhaskar Gowda Ichilampady, retired headmaster Sheenappa Naik, headmistress Jayanti, Ravichandra Atrijalu, Neliyadi Varmahalakshmi Pooja Samiti president Supreetha Ravichandra, Kamadhenu Mahila Cooperative Bank president Usha Anchan, priest Sridhar and George T.S., principal of Nujibaltila Bethany Educational Institution.
Ashwatha Geleyara Balaga honorary president Balakrishna Banajal welcomed the gathering. The newly launched ambulance will now form part of the emergency transport support available to residents in the Nelyadi area.
