Bridge of Dreams: Karnataka’s New Marvel Opens—See the Stunning Structure Everyone’s Talking About!
Bridge of Dreams: Karnataka’s New Marvel Opens—See the Stunning Structure Everyone’s Talking About!
Bridge of Dreams: Karnataka’s New Marvel Opens—See the Stunning Structure Everyone’s Talking About!
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurates a 2.44 km cable-stayed bridge over Sharavathi backwaters, enhancing access to villages and temples. Read more about this major infrastructure development!
The bridge that spans the Sharavathi backwaters between Ambargodlu and Kalasavalli on National Highway 369E was inaugurated on Monday by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari. With a length of 2.44 km, the eagerly awaited cable-stayed bridge spans the Sharavathi backwaters and is the longest in the state and the second longest nationwide.
It was constructed at Rs 472 crore and will enhance access to a number of villages in the taluks of Sagar and Hosanagara, as well as to well-known temples like Kollur Mookambike and Sigandur Chowdeshwari. After the Sharavathi reservoir flooded much of the area in the 1960s, the bridge was constructed to solve long-standing connectivity problems. Since then, commuters have relied on a barge service that operates only during the day to cross backwaters, a system that has long been thought to be inadequate to manage traffic on the recently upgraded MDR.
About The Construction
Construction started in December 2019 after the project was approved by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in March. Dilip Buildcon Ltd. of Madhya Pradesh carried it out. The bridge is the nation's eighth extra-dosed cable-stayed cum-balanced cantilever bridge that has received MoRTH approval.
The bridge's deck measures 16 meters in width, with 1.5-meter-wide walkways on either side and an 11-meter carriageway. The approach roads stretch three kilometers towards Sigandur and one kilometer along the Sagar side.
There are 96 cables on four pylons, 164 1.8-meter-diameter piles, 604 box girder segments, and spherical bearings on the bridge. It is anticipated that the new bridge will greatly cut down travel time and increase local tourism and economic activity. After locals, activists, former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, MP BY Raghavendra, and former minister Kagodu Thimmappa made efforts, MoRTH took up the bridge construction.
Inauguration Sparks Political Conflict
However, the inauguration sparked political unrest in the state, as Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah openly voiced his disapproval of the event's timing.
The CM said in a post on X that he had asked for the event to be postponed because he had an engagement in Vijayapura that was already scheduled. Siddaramaiah claimed that local BJP leaders proceeded with the event "under pressure" without telling the Union Minister, even though the Minister allegedly granted the request.
“Although the Union Minister had agreed to postpone the program, local BJP leaders succumbed to pressure and organised the program today without bringing it to my attention,” he wrote.
In addition, the chief minister chastised the BJP for breaking protocol by not inviting the state government to an infrastructure event that was centrally sponsored.
“In protest of this move by the BJP, no government ministers or local MLAs are participating in the program... There has been no adherence to protocol here. State governments also have a role in centrally sponsored projects,” he added.
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) reports that in addition to the bridge's inauguration, Gadkari laid the cornerstone for nine National Highway projects totaling 99 kilometers and valued at over ₹2,000 crore.
Conclusion
Karnataka's new Sigandur Bridge is a significant advancement. It facilitates connections, saves time, and supports the development of nearby villages. Despite some political squabbling, the bridge gives the area hope and better prospects. It will enhance many lives for years to come if properly maintained.
