Pics: Abhijith N Kolpe

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jun 12: Dakshina Kannada MP and state BJP president Nalin Kumar Kateel, along with Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister Kota Srinivas Poojary, and Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Y Shetty, inaugurated the newly constructed Gurupur bridge across River Phalguni at Gurupur.

Speaking on the occasion, Kota Srinivas Poojary said, "I am delighted to observe that the 175 metre-long Gurupur bridge has been completed within two years which has never happened in the past. As per the terms of the tender, two years’ time was given to complete the bridge, but it has been completed in just 16 months."

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, "The bridge was completed in record time for which credit goes to Mugrody Construction. New bridge here was a long pending demand. When Mularpatna bridge collapsed, the urgency to replace old Gurupur bridge was taken seriously and it was decided to construct a new bridge at a cost of Rs 39.42 crore. Mugrody Construction led by Sudhakar Shetty has been at the forefront in the district in terms of construction because of quality work and timely execution," he said.

The bridge lies 17 km away from the city on national highway 169. Foundation stone for the bridge had been laid in February 2019. The contractors were given time till February 2021 to complete the work. The old bridge was built in 1923 and since the last 10 to 15 years, it had become fragile.

The new bridge, built at a cost of Rs 39.42 crore, is 175 metres long and 16 metres wide. Footpath of 2.5 metre width has been provided with a connecting road that is 11 metres wide. The bridge is an important link on airport road where vehicular movement often was held up whenever heavy vehicles moved on the bridge.