Udupi: Bennekudru Bridge - Red Tape Blocking Long-cherished Dream

Pics: Suvarna Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Apr 10: The villagers of Sastan, Moodahadu, Barkur, and Bennekudru were expecting that their long-cherished dream of getting a connecting bridge between Bennekudru and Moodahadu would be realized soon. The work had been taken up after persistent efforts and follow up, however, the slow pace of work on the bridge has shattered their hopes.

Work on the bridge, being executed out of the central government’s funds meant for rural development, had started in November, 2010. Works totaling to Rs 1.70 crore out of the sanctioned project cost of Rs 1.96 crore have since been completed. However, the villagers are disappointed after observing that no work is being conducted on the bridge since the last several months. The only work pending execution is providing connectivity on both sides of the bridge.

In the past, people of Saligrama and Sastana had to take a detour via Mabukala and Brahmavar to reach Barkur and Bennekudru, by covering a distance of about 12 km. If the bridge stated above is completed, the people would be able to reach these destinations within minutes.

When contacted, Sayyed Ismail, to whom the contract for the bridge has been allotted, says that his bills were not yet paid, although he had completed works amounting to Rs 1.70 crore so far. He says the entire work can be completed within a month, if the funds are released, duly noting that delay in payment of amount due has to be blamed for the delay.

Shiva Poojary, a resident of Bennekudru, said that the long-cherished dream of the villagers will be fulfilled if the work is taken up again and completed at the earliest.