Mangaluru: Karnataka Home Minister Dr. G. Parameshwara announced the sanctioning of new fire stations for Mulki and Kadaba taluks, with construction work expected to begin soon.

Speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Ullal Taluk Fire Station building held in Pajir on Wednesday, Dr. Parameshwara said that the Fire and Emergency Services Department has been granted Rs 50 crore for the procurement of new firefighting vehicles.

“Due to a rule barring the use of vehicles older than 15 years, many existing fire department vehicles have become obsolete. As a result, it has become essential to replace them with new ones,” he stated.

The minister also highlighted that the department has acquired a high-reach ladder with a height of 90 meters. “This will help the department respond swiftly to emergencies in high-rise buildings. Furthermore, modernization and development will enhance the department’s ability to handle future disasters more effectively,” he added.

Dr. Parameshwara emphasized that the fire department is being strengthened in the Mangaluru division, which houses petroleum and oil companies, chemical industries, and port operations, all of which require robust disaster response mechanisms.

Addressing recent natural disasters in the district, including multiple incidents of landslides, the minister assured that the fire department will be better equipped to manage such emergencies moving forward.

Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, U.T. Khader, who presided over the event, said that the long-standing demand for a fire station in Ullal has now been fulfilled. “This new facility will be developed as a model fire station,” he said. He also announced plans to construct new and well-equipped buildings for Ullal and Konaje police stations.

The event was attended by MUDA Chairman Sadashiva, Karnataka Cashew Development Corporation Chairperson Mamatha Gatti, Deputy Director of Fire Services Eshwar Nayak, and others. Chief Fire Officer B.M. Thirumalesh welcomed the gathering.