UDUPI: Seeking to overcome traffic congestion that delays emergency medical care, the Karnataka government will soon relaunch the bike ambulance service across the state, Health Minister U.T. Khader announced. Speaking to reporters after chairing a natural disaster management review meeting in Udupi on Saturday, the minister outlined several healthcare and administrative measures.

The government is also considering the introduction of boat ambulances to cater to coastal emergencies, with a final decision expected shortly. Furthermore, discussions are underway with metro rail authorities to introduce patient-friendly amenities in metropolitan coaches, an initiative that has already been shared with the Union Health Ministry. Addressing other governance issues, the minister stated that the ongoing ration card anomalies were discussed in the recent cabinet meeting under the Chief Minister and will be resolved swiftly. Additionally, a high-level official meeting next week will determine the inauguration date of the new Udupi District Hospital building and the management structure of the Government Mother and Child Hospital.

SIR Process and Disaster Relief Measures: Clarifying the party’s stance on the Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR), Khader asserted that the Congress party has never opposed the SIR process itself. Instead, the party is generating public awareness to ensure that eligible voters are not wrongfully excluded from the electoral rolls under the guise of the revision. He emphasized that the state government has no role in the SIR, which falls entirely under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission, and urged citizens to abide by the commission’s guidelines.

To counter potential monsoon exigencies, the minister stated that line departments are working in coordination. A contingency fund of ₹20 crore has been reserved with the District Commissioner to facilitate immediate relief distribution. To eliminate bureaucratic delays, ₹20 lakh has been credited to the account of each Tahsildar for local emergency expenses. Mescom, Urban Development, Forest, and Rural Development departments have been instructed to maintain operational synergy. The Forest Department has activated its control room (1926), alongside active district and police helplines. At the grassroots, village panchayat administrators, PDOs, and local bodies have been directed to form task forces to systematically manage natural disasters.

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