Yahya Hallare
Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (SP)
Bhatkal, Oct 7: In many places in Karnataka, mosques are known with the name, Palli or Halli. A rivulet that flows across the road between Shirali and Alvekody is known as Hallihole. Because a mosque is standing by the side of the rivulet (hole), it is known with this name. The bridge across the rivulet has become dilapidated and weak. The bridge is becoming brittle and weaker with each passing year, and the burden of fake promises by politicians seem to have put more burden on it.
The bridge was built during 1971-72. Not only the vehicles, even the pedestrians fear the worst before setting their foot on this bridge. The bridge shakes violently, and some of the neighbouring pillars have fallen down into the rivulet. The bridge is dotted by potholes, and it is clear from narrow bridge that it was not conceived for movement of vehicles. The people have no other choice but to use this bridge to reach their homes as otherwise they will have to take a detour involving several kilometres. There are over 1,000 houses and a population of above 4,000 in villages like Alvekody, Tattihakkal and Sanabavi in the area. In addition to a large number of motor bikes and auto rickshaws used by the people of these villages, the only government bus on this road also uses this bridge every hour. Hundreds of school children too walk on this bridge every morning and evening.
In the recent past, development activities have gained speed in Alvekody area, and Goddess Durgaparameshwari temple on the seashore there has become very popular. Therefore, the number of vehicles including those carrying devotees of the temple have increased manifold. Alvekody now also boasts of a port with all facilities. Once the work on estuary is completed, the port will become functional, after which hundreds of fishing and other boats will swarm the area, and number of vehicles might go up five times.
The seashore at Alvekody and Sanabavi have the potential to attract tourists, and taking into account the stress being now laid on exploiting tourism potential, the movement of people and vehicles are expected to go up substantially. Preparations are also afoot to run government bus from Bhatkal to Apsarakonda via Shirali, Alvekody, Sanabavi, Murudeshwar, and Manki for the convenience of tourists and fishermen. All these will use the Hallihole bridge.
People are shuddering at the prospects of this bridge crumbling one fine day. Since the last eight years, people and local leaders here have been placing the demand for new bridge with every politician who comes here, and the leaders have been generous in doling out promises. The estimated cost of the bridge has gone up from the previous two crore to five crore rupees now.
People note that more and more development initiatives are being taken up in the region. They hope that Hallihole bridge will also find a place in these projects soon before the current bridge gives way, turning their lives into a story of misery and frustration. Fishermen's leader from here, Rama Bangera, says that no government has responded to repeated requests for a new bridge in place of the existing one. He added that the issue had also been brought to the notice of district in-charge minister, R V Deshpande, but nothing has been done so far. He hopes that the concerned will keep up their promises and work towards providing a proper bridge to the suffering people of these villages.