Mangaluru: The state government has shelved its earlier proposal to construct a standalone Arogya Bhavan in Dakshina Kannada and instead decided to house the district health department within the existing Praja Soudha complex at Padil.

Around 60 cents of land had been earmarked at Bondel for the ambitious Arogya Bhavan project, which was intended to bring all wings of the health department under one roof. However, the plan has now been dropped. In its place, the government has approved the establishment of a new health department office on the third floor of Praja Soudha, the Deputy Commissioner’s office complex.

District Health Officer Dr Thimmaiah HR said the government has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for developing the third floor to accommodate the DHO office and other health-related sections. He added that a separate proposal has been submitted seeking approval to construct a district drug warehouse on the land available at Bondel.

In a circular, Prabhakar T, Undersecretary to the Health and Family Welfare Department, confirmed that administrative approval has been granted for setting up various health department offices on the third floor of Praja Soudha. Currently, the first and second floors of the building house the Deputy Commissioner’s office, revenue department and other government wings.

Officials said that structural works such as the RCC roofing, lift installation, external walls and staircase have been partially completed. The remaining works — including interior partitions, doors and windows, flooring, false ceiling, electrical wiring, washrooms, painting, intercom systems, fire and safety installations, furniture, record rooms and shelving — will be taken up using the sanctioned funds.

The move marks a shift from a new standalone facility to a consolidated administrative setup within the existing government complex.