In Dakshina Kannada, 211 out of 2,131 anganwadis are functioning without their own buildings. The Department of Women and Child Development is actively seeking sites to establish these facilities. Many anganwadis have been relocated to available spaces in nearby government schools. However, officials report significant challenges in finding space within Mangaluru city limits.
Currently, 56 centers, including 49 in Mangaluru city, are operating in rented premises. The district needs to identify sites for 164 anganwadis. Of the 2,131 anganwadi centers, 1,920 have their own buildings, 56 are in rented spaces, 91 are in community halls, and 64 are in schools. Mangaluru city has 228 anganwadis, but only 107 have their own buildings. Additionally, 38 centers operate in community halls, and 34 are accommodated in schools.
An official stated that sites have been identified for 27 anganwadi centers without their own buildings, and construction is underway for 22 centers, including 11 in Mangaluru city. The issue of the lack of sites for anganwadis has been raised with district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao in the past two Karnataka Development Programmes (KDP) held this year.
Usman A, the deputy director of the Women and Child Development Department, mentioned that finding suitable locations in Mangaluru city is challenging due to high rental costs. The department has a provision to pay a maximum of Rs 6,000 as rent for each anganwadi in urban areas. Due to the scarcity of government schools near most anganwadis in Mangaluru city and the difficulty in identifying sites in urban areas, 49 centers continue to operate in rented premises.