Udupi: The Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) has undertaken the construction of a well-equipped building for the research training and sports facility dedicated to government officers in the district. The project, estimated at Rs 2 crore, recently saw its foundation stone laid.

The foundation stone for this facility, which will be located near Nayerkere in Ajjarkad, was laid on August 26 by Dr. Ranjan R. Pai, President of the MEMG Group and President of the Manipal Trust.

The decision to construct the building came after a request was made to MAHE through the district administration for the necessary infrastructure. Dr. Ranjan R. Pai reviewed the request and approved the construction on behalf of MAHE.

The building, which will cover an area of approximately 18,000 square feet, will be fully funded by MAHE. The construction will proceed through a tender process, according to Dr. H.S. Ballal, Pro-Chancellor of MAHE.

The foundation stone ceremony was presided over by MLA Yashpal Suvarna. Other notable attendees included Dr. G. Shankar, Promoter of G. Shankar Family Trust; Dr. Krishna Prasad Kudlu, President of Prasad Netralaya; Dr. K. Vidyakumari, Deputy Commissioner; Prateek Bayal, CEO of Zilla Panchayat; Mamatha Devi G.S., Additional Deputy Commissioner; Mithun Kumar, SP of Coastal Security Police; Dr. Roshan Kumar Shetty, Secretary of ADYS; Municipal Commissioner Rayappa; and entrepreneurs Nagesh Hegde, Manohar Shetty, and Purushotham Shetty.