Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Feb 3: There is a crying need for a wider and stronger bridge across river Falguni at Gurpur on national highway 169 and the people using this road have long been demanding for it. On Saturday February 2 morning, MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, and city (north) MLA, Dr Y Bharath Shetty, laid foundation stone for the bridge.
Addressing the gathering, Nalin noted that the existing bridge here, which was built by the British, is 96 years old. As the bridge is past its period of usage, the government has provided grant for building a new bridge. He added that the new bridge will be constructed by the side of the old one, and work has already begun.
He also pointed out that this is an important bridge on the highway between Kulshekhar and Karkala. "The process of land acquisition for widening this road has already begun. The road will pass through Nooyi, Addoor and Kaikamba before reaching Karkala and then Solapur. Another bridge will also be built at Addoor. This bridge will provide communication to Gurpur and will have bypass road," he explained.
Nalin Kumar Kateel also said that roads between Mulky - Kateel -Kaikamba and B C Road road would be widened into four lane, while Melkar - Konaje - Thokkottu road would be upgraded under 'Sagar Mala' project. "These roads fall within the constituencies of BJP legislators, Bharath Shetty, Rajesh Naik and Umanath Kotian. In the case of B C Road - Adahole road development, legal hurdles have been addressed and work has begun again. Kulur bridge tender process has also been completed. The NDA government has provided grant of Rs 1,700 crore for Mangaluru bypass road," he stated.
D Sudhakar Shetty of Mugthody Constructions, Kavoor, has bagged contract for this bridge worth Rs 39.42 crore. He has been given two years to complete the bridge. Sudhakar Shetty said that attempts would be made to complete the bridge within 18 months.
Hindu leader Jagadish Shenava, city corporator Hemalata R Salian, Chadrahas Shetty Narla, and several others were present.