Silvester D'Souza
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (SP)
Kundapur, Jun 29: Sauda-Shankarnarayana bridge has been one of the bridges in the taluk that are part of the ambitious plan of connecting isles with the mainland. Assurances to construct this bridge have been forthcoming from leaders since several decades but in reality, nothing has moved.
The then chief minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, had laid foundation stone for the bridge on January 8, 2018. At the time of laying the foundation, lot of doubts had been expressed about the implementation of the bridge project. The doubts came true, as no work has been undertaken at the spot since then during the last 18 months. It is said that even the tender process had not been completed before laying the foundation stone. The bridge continues to remain a mirage now, and the officials have been citing technical reasons for the bridge being a non-starter.
Before the foundation stone was laid, there had been talk about the bridge becoming a reality for several years. Protests and fight for the bridge were held several times. The issue had also come up for discussion during the petition committee meetings. The people, who were fed up of waiting for the bridge to materialize, had celebrated when the foundation stone was laid, as they felt that nothing can stop the construction of the bridge. The promises have remained empty, and the foundation stone stands as mute testimony to fake promises.
The agitation for this bridge had been carried for many years. In the past, there was boat facility to reach Shankarnarayana from the direction of Jannadi. Now this facility is not available. If this bridge materializes, people from Molahalli, Japti, Hombady-Mandady, Yadati-Matyadi, Korgi, Heskuttur etc will find it convenient to visit Shankarnarayana. Shankarnarayana, which is fast growing into a town with modern facilities, will also be able to serve people of many villages if the bridge is built. Four years back, funds were sanctioned from the central road development fund for the bridge, but for technical reasons, the grant was cancelled. The foundation laying ceremony was apparently an eyewash. Now the people have begun to doubt whether a bridge between Sauda and Shankarnarayana will ever be built or not.
People from various villages including Molahalli, Jannadi and Bidkalkatte have to come to Shankarnarayana to get services like education, revenue, police etc. Shankarnarayana has PU college, first grade college, sub-registrar's office, police station etc. There is a demand to care Shankarnarayana into a separate taluk. Now, college students have to take a detour via Halady to reach Shankarnarayana. If a bridge is built at Sauda, all these problems will end.
The area where the bridge is proposed to be built is backward rural area. The bridge once built will pave way for the development of the entire area. Hundreds of people have been handing over petitions and memorandums for bridge here. Although some elected representatives have been trying to see that this bridge come up, nothing is moving in the direct direction. Even now they say that technical glitch has been obstructing the bridge from coming up. The people expect that the concerned will address these problems and show their commitment and skill by constructing this bridge without further delay.