Karwar: Karnataka has set a target to construct 120 new bridges across the state during the current year, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi announced on Monday.
He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for the Moovattu Gundi bridge project at Kalabhag in Kumta taluk.
The Minister said that several districts, particularly in the coastal and Malnad regions, face connectivity disruptions during the monsoon season, cutting off access between villages and creating hardships for students and the general public. To address this recurring problem, the government has already constructed 400 footbridges in 12 districts and plans to take up more such projects on a priority basis in the coming days.
In Uttara Kannada district, a significant number of footbridges have been built in Siddapur, Kumta and Honnavar taluks. He assured that additional footbridges would be sanctioned wherever necessary. Approvals have also been granted for the immediate reconstruction of dilapidated old bridges to ensure public safety and improved connectivity in the region.
Highlighting the concerns of farmers, Jarkiholi said that the mixing of seawater with river backwaters has been causing distress to agricultural lands. To mitigate this issue, bridge projects are being designed with barrages to prevent saline water intrusion and safeguard farmlands.
MLA Dinakar Shetty said the widening of the bridge had long been a dream of the local residents. He noted that the existing 3-metre-wide bridge is being expanded to 9 metres. In addition, a bridge-cum-barrage is being constructed to prevent saltwater from entering farmers’ fields, thereby benefiting the agrarian community.
The programme was attended by Fisheries, Ports and Inland Water Transport and District In-charge Minister Mankal S. Vaidya, District Guarantee Implementation Authority Chairman Satish Naik, former MLA Sharada Shetty, Deputy Commissioner K. Lakshmi Priya, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr. Dileep Shashi, Sub-Divisional Officer Shravan Kumar, PWD Executive Engineer Mallikarjun, and other officials.