Mangaluru Health Department Office Relocates to Praja Soudha in Rs 5 Crore Revamp
The Karnataka state government has officially abandoned its earlier proposal to construct a dedicated Arogya Bhavan building in Mangaluru. This facility was intended to consolidate all sections of the health department in Dakshina Kannada district. Approximately 60 cents of land had been earmarked for this ambitious project at Bondel within the city limits.
New Plan: Health Office on Third Floor of Praja Soudha
Instead of proceeding with the standalone Arogya Bhavan, the government has decided to establish a new health department office on the third floor of Praja Soudha, which is the deputy commissioner's office complex located in Padil. This strategic shift will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 5 crore, as confirmed by official sources.
District Health Officer (DHO) Dr. Thimmaiah HR provided details on the revised arrangement. He stated that the government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore specifically for constructing the DHO office and other related health department offices on the third floor of Praja Soudha. Additionally, Dr. Thimmaiah mentioned that a proposal has been submitted to the department seeking approvals to build a district drug warehouse on the available land at Bondel, repurposing the initially allocated site.
Administrative Approval and Construction Details
Prabhakar T, the undersecretary to the health and family welfare department, issued a circular outlining the administrative approval granted for constructing various offices of the health department in Dakshina Kannada on the third floor of Praja Soudha. This move integrates the health department into the existing governmental infrastructure.
Praja Soudha currently houses the deputy commissioner's office, revenue department, and other departments on its first and second floors. The health department will now occupy the newly designated third floor. Preliminary construction work, including the RCC roof, lift, external walls, and stairs, has been partially completed.
The remaining interior works will be undertaken using the sanctioned funds. These include:
- Construction of interior partitions, doors, and windows
- Installation of floors and false ceilings
- Internal wiring and setup of washrooms
- Painting and intercom facilities
- Implementation of fire and safety measures
- Furniture, record rooms, shelves, and other essential fixtures
This comprehensive upgrade aims to enhance operational efficiency and provide a modern workspace for health department officials in Mangaluru.
