Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady
Beltangady, May 6: The construction of the 'Sauharda Setuve' (Harmony Bridge) across the Netravati River near Punjalkatte, designed to connect the Ajilamogaru mosque and the Kadeshwalya Sri Lakshmi Narasimha temple in Bantwal taluk, has reached its final stages.
Following a period of sluggish progress, the bridge and connecting road works are now advancing rapidly, bringing the long-awaited dream of the harmony bridge closer to reality. Anticipating its vital role as a primary link between the two religious centers, the public has urged the concerned department to inaugurate the bridge before the onset of the monsoon.
A delegation led by Sarapadi Zone Farmers' Protection Association president Sarapadi Ashok Shetty and vice-president N Adam Kunhi recently met with the construction officials, submitting a memorandum to expedite the remaining work before the rainy season.
The pending work on two pillars (with foundations) on the Kadeshwalya side has been completed, and the girders have been installed on the bridge. The final phase of construction is currently underway.
Project background and delays
The concept of the 'Sauharda Setuve' to connect the two religious sites was introduced in 2017 under the vision of then-minister B Ramanath Rai, who laid the foundation stone. The Karnataka Road Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL) sanctioned an amount of Rs 19.84 crore for the project.
The contract for the 312-meter-long and 10.50-meter-wide bridge, along with a 378-meter connecting road, was awarded to Chennai-based SPL Company. Although the tender was finalized in 2019 with a 24-month completion deadline set for 2021, the project faced severe setbacks due to labor shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite assurances from the contractor to finish the work in the subsequent two years, progress remained slow.
Former deputy commissioner Mullai Muhilan, acting on the instructions of the district in-charge minister, had taken a special interest in accelerating the project. However, the work came to a halt following his transfer. It was only after intense pressure and protests from the local villagers that the construction resumed and reached its current final stage.
Temporary relief for commuters
Taking advantage of the declining water levels in the Netravati River due to the scorching summer heat, a temporary mud road was laid adjacent to the bridge to facilitate the swift transport of construction materials. This temporary pathway also provided a much-needed direct link between Ajilamogaru and Kadeshwalya. Thousands of devotees utilized this temporary route to attend the recent Kadeshwalya temple fair.
Enhanced connectivity
Currently, traveling to the Ajilamogaru mosque requires taking a roundabout route via the Bantwal-Manihalla-Sarapadi-Allipade road, while reaching Kadeshwalya involves a detour via the BC Road-Uppinangady national highway through the Gadiyara road.
Once inaugurated, the bridge will significantly cut down travel time and boost connectivity for residents of Bantwal, Puttur, and Beltangady taluks. Villages including Navoor, Maninalkuru, Sarapadi, Kadeshwalya, Budoli, and Barimaru (Bantwal), Uppinangady (Puttur), as well as Tekkaru, Barya, and Thanneerpantha (Beltangady) will immensely benefit from this direct link.