Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D’Souza said on Thursday that mobile signal jammers installed at Mangaluru District Jail have been affecting mobile network coverage in most parts of the city.
He added that Home Minister G Parameshwara directed top officials from the prisons department to visit Mangaluru to find solutions for the issue.
New jail building in Bantwal
The Home Minister also directed PWD officials to release Rs 80 crore to complete the construction of a new building for Mangaluru District Jail in Bantwal taluk. According to D’Souza, only the compound wall and other facilities remain to be completed.
The new facility is expected to be ready within six months, allowing the jail to be shifted from Mangaluru city. D’Souza added that if the work is not completed within the stipulated time, the matter will be taken up with the Assurance Committee.
Expansion of traffic police units
D’Souza also proposed the creation of two additional traffic police units in Mangaluru. Currently, the city has four units – East, West, North, and South. Considering the density of vehicles and the increased number of police stations under each unit, he said two more units are necessary to improve traffic management.
Housing adalats for poor families
The MLC further suggested conducting a special adalat to ensure that benefits of housing schemes reach poor families. During a recent legislature session, D’Souza quoted the housing department minister, stating that while 792 houses are being constructed in Idya and Surathkal, only 322 beneficiaries have paid their share.
He noted that banks have been reluctant to provide loans to housing scheme beneficiaries. Therefore, adalats involving banks should be conducted to sanction loans and ensure scheme participation.
Conclusion
The initiatives by the Home Minister and suggestions by D’Souza aim to improve city infrastructure, public safety, and housing access, while also addressing network disruptions caused by jail mobile jammers.