Karwar: With the rising number of accidents on the National Highway (NH) passing through Karwar, the donation of an ambulance by NPCIL Kaiga is expected to provide crucial assistance to local residents. Karwar-Ankola MLA and Karnataka State Marketing Consultant and Agencies President, Satish Sail, emphasized that the ambulance should be used exclusively for patient transportation.
Speaking at the handing-over ceremony held at the Karwar City Municipal premises, Sail highlighted NPCIL Kaiga's contributions to the region’s development. He urged NPCIL officials to provide four hearse vans along with drivers for four gram panchayats, as local residents struggle with funeral arrangements due to Karwar’s hilly terrain.
Additionally, he requested NPCIL to construct proper roads in the backward village of Guddalli, where students and residents face mobility issues due to the lack of adequate road infrastructure. NPCIL officials assured that a team would visit Guddalli for an assessment on March 23, with municipal council members expected to participate.
Sail also instructed municipal authorities to issue notices regarding waste collection from Seabird housing. In an effort to create local employment, NPCIL Kaiga has decided to recruit 300 candidates, including ITI, Diploma, and B.Sc. Nursing graduates, from within a 50 km radius.
NPCIL Kaiga Site Director Bachu Vinod Kumar stated that the company is committed to regional development under its CSR initiative, focusing on education, healthcare, and infrastructure. He noted that the annual CSR budget ranges from Rs. 10-15 crore, benefiting local communities. He urged the municipal council to make optimal use of the donated ambulance for the welfare of nearby residents.
MLC Ganapati D. Ulvekar lauded Karwar City Municipal Council's efforts to maintain a 'Green and Clean Karwar' image. He acknowledged NPCIL’s past donations, including four solid waste management vehicles, and appreciated their continued support in urban development. Ulvekar called upon other companies, including BILT, to contribute towards making Karwar a model city.
Under various government schemes, financial allocations were announced, including Rs. 4.13 lakh for Devaraj Urs Backward Classes Welfare Department, Rs. 9 lakh for SC/ST hostels, Rs. 2 lakh for Ambedkar Bhavan, Rs. 3 lakh for gym equipment, Rs. 3 lakh for the Department of Women and Child Development, and Rs. 5 lakh for the District Child Protection Unit.
The event was attended by Karwar City Municipal Council President Raviraj Chandrahas Ankolekar, NPCIL officials S.G. Tippeswamy, Ganesh G. Gawankar, Jagadish Gunaga, Deputy Mayor Preeti Madhukar Joshi, Municipal Commissioner Jagadish Hulagajji, municipal council members, officials, and the general public.