Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Mar 3: The district administration was burdened with expenditure that ran to lacs of rupees to search for those who jumped from the Netravati bridge and ended their life. A fencing barrier is erected and CCTV cameras are now installed all along the bridge to save the expenditure and make those who attempt suicide to change their minds, informed Mangaluru north MLA Vedavyasa Kamath.

He was speaking after inaugurating the fencing and CCTV cameras installed at the bridge by Mangaluru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) at a cost of Rs 63 lac on Wednesday, March 3.

He further said, “Distressed people used to jump from the bridge into the river. About 10 to 15 people on average used to end their lives in a year. The suicide of entrepreneur V G Siddhartha was a black mark for Mangaluru. The police department, fire service personnel, coast guards and fishermen come together under the leadership of district administration in the search operations spending several lacs during suicides. This project is undertaken to prevent suicides here.”

Chief guest, MUDA president Ravishankar Mijar said that the Netravati river was the primary spot for suicides. "The work is completed early by MUDA due to the initiative of MLA Vedavyasa Kamath. A 2800-metre long fence is erected at four places in the 700 meters long bridge. Four CCTV cameras are erected at four corners. It will also prevent people from throwing trash into the river. The cameras will be monitored by Kankanady station police personnel. The police commissioner has already approved it. It will be put on paper soon," he said.

Corporator, Veena Mangala, MUDA commissioner, Dinesh Kumar, Kankanady police inspector, Ashok Kumar, and corporation appointed member Bhaskar Chandra Shetty, were the guests of honour.