Mangaluru: District prison to be shifted to city outskirts at a cost of Rs 120 crore, says Home Minister

Mangaluru: District prison to be shifted to city outskirts at a cost of Rs 120 crore, says Home Minister

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 17, 2026: Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara on Tuesday said the district prison in Mangaluru will be shifted to the outskirts of the city at the earliest, once essential infrastructure works are completed.

Speaking after inaugurating police quarters in Moodbidri and laying the foundation stone for new quarters at Police Lane in Mangaluru, he said the new prison project would require Rs 120 crore. Of this, Rs 50 crore has been earmarked for constructing the compound wall.

“Once the compound wall is completed, the prison can be shifted as the barracks have already been constructed. The remaining interior works can be taken up later,” he said.

The minister said he had requested Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the pre-Budget meeting to sanction the required funds. “I am confident the Chief Minister will approve the allocation,” he added.

Addressing concerns over mobile jammers affecting the public in nearby areas, Parameshwara said the devices had been damaged by inmates. He also referred to frequent scuffles inside the Mangaluru prison. “I have instructed the technical team to regulate the jammer system so that it functions only within the prison premises,” he said.

On police welfare, the minister announced that the State government will continue the Police Gruha housing scheme until 2030, giving priority to housing for police personnel. When the scheme was launched in 2015, the unit cost per house was Rs 18 lakh, which has now increased to Rs 32 lakh. As only 40 per cent of the proposed quarters have been constructed so far, the scheme has been extended.

“My dream is to provide quarters for all the 1.10 lakh police personnel serving in the State,” he said.

In Mangaluru, around 1,900 police personnel are posted, but only 40 per cent currently have official accommodation. He said 100 additional police quarters would be sanctioned for the city next year.

Highlighting the role of the police in maintaining law and order, the minister said personnel work under extreme conditions to ensure citizens can celebrate festivals peacefully. He added that Karnataka ranks second in the country in attracting investments, partly due to improved law and order.

Stating that making Karnataka drug-free is “not an easy task”, he said police are seizing narcotics on a daily basis. “If parents remain vigilant and monitoring of students continues, the drug menace can be contained,” he said, directing strict action against drug-related offences.

On demands for new police stations, he said proposals would be examined as per established guidelines before approvals are granted, assuring that buildings would be sanctioned wherever required.

The minister also pointed out that boats operated by the Coastal Security Police are in poor condition. Of the 15 boats, only three to four are currently functional. “I have sought funds to improve facilities for the Coastal Security Police to strengthen sea surveillance,” he said.

Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath sought new buildings for the Kankanady, Traffic and Bunder police stations.

IGP (Western Range) Amit Singh, Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy, SP Dr Arun K and other officials were present.

IGP (Western Range) Amit Singh, commissioner of police Sudheer Kumar Reddy, SP Dr Arun K and other officials were present.