Karnataka’s First Sea Ambulance to Be Operational by May 2026: Minister Mankal S. Vaidya
₹7.85 crore vessel under construction; set to boost emergency response along the coast.
Mangaluru– Karnataka will launch its first sea ambulance by May 2026, Minister for Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport Mankal S. Vaidya announced on Saturday.
Speaking informally to reporters, the Minister said that a Chennai-based firm, which secured the project tender, has already begun building the specialised vessel. State Director of Fisheries Dinesh Kumar Kaller said the construction will take around six months, with the project costing ₹7.85 crore.
The initiative was originally announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the 2024–25 State Budget.
According to Mr. Kaller, the sea ambulance will be equipped with an 800-horsepower engine—much more powerful than the 350–400 HP engines used by deep-sea fishing boats. This will enable the vessel to reach fishermen or boats in distress much faster. It will also have paramedical staff on board and essential medical facilities, including a mortuary. The ambulance will be stationed at one of the fisheries ports along the Karnataka coast.
Earlier in the day, Minister Vaidya laid the foundation stone for a ₹37.47 crore project to modernise the Mangaluru fisheries harbour under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Of this amount, the Union government will provide ₹22.48 crore and the State will contribute ₹14.98 crore.
The modernisation plan includes rebuilding the old wharf, constructing an overhead tank and sump, improving drinking water supply, renovating the auction hall, setting up an auction shelter, establishing sewage and effluent treatment plants, upgrading the Joint Director of Fisheries office, developing a new entrance gate and creating a modern fish-handling facility.
