Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Jan 30: Agitators demanding the completion of the Indrali Railway Bridge are planning to stage a strong protest after authorities once again failed to meet the deadline set by the committee for the bridge’s completion.

The construction of the Indrali Railway Bridge, which began seven years ago, has experienced continuous delays despite several deadlines. In response to the slow progress, local associations organised a protest on October 29, 2024, demanding the bridge be completed within three months. The deadline was set for January 30, 2025, but once again, the authorities have failed to meet it.

Amruth Shenoy, a member of the Udupi City National Highway Agitation Committee, who led the October protest, stated, “Our committee waited until the given deadline. We refrained from holding a press conference, but the authorities have failed to deliver once again. Therefore, we have no choice but to hold a meeting and launch a fierce protest.”

Shenoy further criticised the ongoing delays, adding, “On October 29, 2024, we set a three-month deadline for the completion of the Indrali Railway Bridge, which was January 30. This bridge has been under construction for eight years and is posing a danger to commuters. MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary had promised the work would be completed by January 15, but that deadline, along with those set by Shobha Karandlaje and Yashpal Suvarna, was not met. We gave an additional 15-day grace period until January 30, but now the DC has extended the deadline to February 10. The National Highway Authority of India’s slow progress on projects like the Ambalpady overpass, Santhekatte underpass, Parkala roadworks, and Adi Udupi road is damaging Udupi’s economy and causing severe traffic congestion. Our protest will target not just MP Kota Shrinivas Poojary but also the highways and railway ministers for their inaction.”

The 58-meter-long steel bridge, costing Rs 13 crore, requires 420 tons of steel girders, which were brought from Hubballi in February 2024. After the arrival of the steel girders, authorities set a deadline for June 15, 2024, which was missed.

Protests led to the deadline being extended to June 30, 2024, which was again missed. These delays caused growing frustration among commuters, resulting in intense protests. At that time, authorities promised to complete the work by January 17, 2025, but that deadline also passed without progress.

A new deadline was set for January 25, and the one set by the agitators for January 30 was also not met. The District Commissioner has now extended the deadline to February 10, raising doubts about whether the work will be completed by then.