Bengaluru: Union Minister for Surface Transport Nitin Gadkari will lay the foundation stone for the construction of the bridge across Sharavati river to connect Kalasavalli and Ambaragodlu villages on February 19.
The 2.16-km long bridge across the Sharavati backwaters will offer easy access to the mainland for people of Karur and Barangi hoblis, which have been reduced to islands after the reservoir, was constructed for the Sharavati Hydro-Power Project.
BJP State president B.S. Yeddyurappa said in a statement that the Union government has sanctioned Rs. 600 crore for the construction of the bridge. Besides this, the Centre has provided Rs.500 crore for widening of the road connecting NH 206 in Sagar city with Baindur-Ranibennur NH.
Ever since the commissioning of the Sharavati Hydro-Power Project, nearly 20,000 families in the hoblis have been relying on just three ferries provided by the Department of Port and Inland Water Transport to reach the mainland. Over the years, with the rise in popularity of Sigandur, the pilgrim centre in the Sharavati backwater region, the ferries are often overcrowded.
The government in 2008-09 had okayed construction of the bridge at a cost of Rs 164.59 crore, and the Karnataka State Road Development Corporation was tasked with the work. It is said that, the project was put in the back-burner later as officials of the Department of Finance said it was economically not viable.
