Pics: Nithin Pereira
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)
Udupi, Sep 21: After years of delay and public frustration, the long-awaited Indrali railway vehicular bridge on NH 169A was finally inaugurated on Sunday, September 21, by union minister of state for railways V Somanna.
Somanna inaugurated the bridge by cutting the ribbon, followed by a formal event that began with lighting of the ceremonial lamp by dignitaries.
Union minister of state for railways V Somanna said, “We may not know where God truly resides, but we worship with faith, and for Udupi, Kota Srinivas Poojary is seen as a guiding force. This was essential work, and our Prime Minister instructed us to complete it within the time frame. Mangaluru and Udupi are two districts that have given great intellectual strength to the nation. Railway projects are in progress. The GST reduction on essential goods is a step toward ensuring every citizen benefits from the nation’s development. Karnataka has received Rs 1,76,525 crore under this government, far more than during the UPA regime. The national highway network has doubled from 5,000 km to 10,000 km, and over Rs 10,000 crore worth of road works are underway in the coastal belt. Unfortunately, the state government is not focusing on what truly needs to be done. We will work to rename the Indrali railway station as Sri Krishna railway station.”
MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, in his introductory note, said, “This bridge has been under discussion for the past six to seven years. I have never witnessed a case where an FIR was filed against our own authorities, but for the first time, we had to file one against NHAI officers to ensure the work was completed. It is satisfying that the bridge has now been inaugurated by railway minister V Somanna. This is a historic occasion, as the project has faced many protests before reaching completion.”
MLA Yashpal Suvarna said, “When we proposed renaming Udupi railway station as Sri Krishna railway station, he supported the idea and took the necessary steps to make it happen. Though there was criticism, such criticism only motivated us to complete the work sooner.”
Minister V Somanna was felicitated on the occasion by Udupi City Municipal Council.
The bridge, a crucial infrastructure project connecting Udupi and Manipal, had been under construction for more than seven years. Repeated delays and shifting deadlines tested the patience of commuters and residents, while persistent traffic congestion and frequent accidents intensified demands for its speedy completion.
The completed civil works include pedestrian passages and side walls, with a protective coating of paint applied to prevent rusting and improve durability.
The Indrali bridge project, with a budget of Rs 14 crore, was initiated in 2018. Despite the allocation of 420 tons of steel girders from Hubballi in February 2024, progress was painfully slow.
A major milestone came in April this year with the launching of the 58-meter-long steel girders, weighing around 450 tons. The delicate task, involving hydraulic jacks and rollers, required moving one to two meters at a time, with daily safety checks.
Repeated deadlines, first June 2024, then January 2025, were missed, triggering protests from civil groups and commuters. It was only after sustained pressure from the public that construction picked up pace.
The bridge is now expected to ease severe traffic congestion on the busy Udupi–Manipal highway, improve road safety by reducing accidents at the level crossing, and boost connectivity for residents, students, and daily commuters.
The programme began with Vande Matharam by Sujala Sathish Suvarana. Girish Anchan welcomed the gathering.
MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, MLA Sunil Kumar, MLA Gururaj Gantihole, MLA Kiran Kumar Kodgi, Udupi deputy commissioner Swaroopa T K, superintendent of police Hariram Shankar, president Udupi City Municipal Council Prabhakar Poojary, commissioner Mahanthesh Hangaragi, president Urban Development Authority Dinakar Heroor, former minister Pramod Madvaraj, former MLA Lalaji R Mendon, vice president CMC Rajani Hebbar, authorities and others were present on the occasion.