Udupi: With the onset of the monsoon, residents of Byndoor taluk in Udupi district brace for recurring hardship—fever, chills, and the daily risk of wading through overflowing rivers, canals, and streams. But this year, a transformative solution has emerged: bridges constructed using truck and bus chassis parts, marking a new era of resilience and innovation.
In a region where rural communities are often stranded during rains, these improvised footbridges are a game-changer. Traditionally, people relied on fragile wooden planks and makeshift paths to access schools, markets, and workplaces. The dangers were real—accidents, injuries, and even deaths had become part of seasonal life. Yet, little changed on the government’s part.
Enter private partnership. Spearheaded by MLA Gururaj Gantihole and Arunachalam Trust, a project to build durable bridges took shape. In a remarkable move away from bureaucratic delays, old vehicle chassis were repurposed to create sturdy, low-cost footbridges. Hosangady village now proudly showcases one such bridge in active use, while two more have been completed. The Trust envisions a total of 50 bridges across the Western Ghats’ foothills.
These compact bridges have brought immense relief, especially for schoolchildren and the elderly, who no longer need to tiptoe across slippery logs. Villagers now traverse with confidence, and cattle can move safely too.
Byndoor’s bridge movement proves that determination and community action can outpace slow-moving systems—and change lives.