Govt. will launch ‘Akka Pade’ for Mangaluru city, says Dinesh Gundu Rao

District in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao proceeding to inspect the guard of honour on the occasion of the district Republic Day programme in Mangaluru on Monday.
| Photo Credit:
H.S. Manjunath

Dakshina Kannada district in-charge Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said here on Monday that the government will introduce ‘Akka Pade’, a mobile unit that attends to women and children in distress, in Mangaluru city shortly. This unit will be in addition to the one already that is already functioning in the Dakshina Kannada district.

In his district Republic Day address at Nehru Maidan, Mr. Rao said the Akka Pade is equipped with modern communication facilities and comprises police personnel, NCC cadets, and social workers. It started its operation in Dakshina Kannada on January 1, 2026.

Mr. Rao said the State government is committed to maintaining law and order in Dakshina Kannada, which will aid in the all-around development of the region and will not tolerate any group or individual misleading the youth of the region or encouraging them to indulge in violent activities. He added that the government will not refrain from taking strict action against such groups or individuals.

A new Balthangady Police Sub-Division has been created. Trained personnel of the Special Task Force are monitoring hate content that is posted on social media, and are also taking action to prevent communal conflicts and illegal activity. This has significantly contributed to maintaining peace, law and order in the district.

Decisive action is being taken on preventing the sale and consumption of narcotic drugs. Many drug peddlers, including foreign nationals, have been arrested, and crores worth of narcotic drugs were seized by the police.

Five mobile health units (MOUs) under the ‘Arogya Setu’ scheme are operating in Dakshina Kannada. These units, with doctors, nurses, and lab technicians, are going to every nook and corner, delivering health services at the doorstep. As many as 81 MOUs are currently operating across the State, he said.

Since the Cath Lab at the Government Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru was established in September 2025, more than 400 angioplasties and angiograms have been performed. The hospital also has a 35-bed dialysis unit where 26 dialysis machines are operational, Mr. Rao added.

A ₹37 crore project has been taken up at the Mangaluru Fishing Harbour, under which a 320-metre-long jetty, auction halls, and an underground drainage facility will be made. The work will be completed shortly, and this will meet the long-felt demand of fishermen, he said.

Mr. Rao also criticised the Union Government for scrapping the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and replacing it with the Vikasit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act.