Karwar: Siddaramaiah on Sunday said establishing government medical colleges in every district remains the State government’s top priority, with phased steps underway to expand healthcare access across Karnataka.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the ₹198.27-crore, 450-bed multi-speciality hospital building at the Karwar Institute of Medical Sciences (KRIMS), he said 22 districts already have government medical colleges and the remaining districts will soon be covered to ensure advanced medical care is available closer to people’s homes.
The Chief Minister also announced that a Super Speciality Hospital for Karwar would be sanctioned in the upcoming State Budget.
He noted that residents of Karwar and neighbouring areas had long depended on Hubballi, Udupi and Mangaluru for specialised treatment. The new facility, along with a proposed cancer unit, is expected to substantially ease that burden.
Siddaramaiah further assured that the pending Ulaga–Kerwadi bridge project would be prioritised and necessary funds released without delay.
During his visit, he inaugurated several projects, including a ₹720.81-lakh bridge on State Highway-93 in Yellapur taluk, a ₹202.89-lakh waiting hall in Yellapur town, and a ₹248.18-lakh tourist lodge in Mundgod taluk.
Responding to opposition claims that development had slowed due to the State’s guarantee schemes, he said ongoing project inaugurations across Karnataka were proof to the contrary. He added that ₹2,954 crore has been disbursed under guarantee schemes in Uttara Kannada district, while the statewide allocation has reached ₹1.18 lakh crore.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the ₹34.21-crore Manjuguni–Gangavali bridge across the Gangavali river at Ankola, linking Ankola and Kumta taluks. Recalling that he had laid its foundation in 2017, he said the bridge would eliminate the need for a nearly 18-km detour, particularly during the monsoon, benefiting residents of Ankola, Kumta and Gokarna.
Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar said the government remains committed to holistic district development and is preparing a new tourism policy to promote coastal Karnataka, attract investment and create local employment opportunities along the State’s 360-km coastline.
Medical Education Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil reiterated the government’s plan to establish medical colleges, super speciality hospitals, trauma care centres and cancer hospitals across all districts.
Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport Minister and district in-charge Mankal S. Vaidya said the government has effectively implemented its five guarantee promises while continuing development works.
Karwar–Ankola MLA Satish Sail welcomed the super speciality hospital announcement and urged special industrial incentives to generate local employment. He also said ₹25 crore from the MLA fund has been earmarked for temple development, including the Shejjeshwar Temple.
Several legislators and senior officials were present.