Chikkamagaluru: Bridge work delay, public protest blocking roads | Azad Times

Photo Credit : News Karnataka

Chikkamagaluru: Residents of Bettadamane Village in Mudigere Taluk of the District staged a protest by blocking the road against the delay in the construction of a new bridge across Hemavathi River.

The Bridge located on the top of Hemavathi River is centuries old. The Government had released funds for the construction of the new bridge as the old bridge was in a dilapidated condition. The contractor for the construction of the bridge started the construction of the new bridge in 2018 but has not been completed so far. The construction of the bridge is yet to be completed even after five years of the turtle walk, the locals rued.

In January this year, the contractor, who had stopped the work, has not been traced so far, triggering protests by angry people. Now, the old bridge has also caved in and vehicular traffic has been disrupted.

Demanding that the work on the new bridge be started immediately, the public blocked the road for about an hour at the under-construction bridge site in Bettadamane Village and staged a protest.

The villagers have threatened to protest again and boycott the upcoming Assembly elections if the work is not started within the next 10 days.

Kirigund Gram Panchayat President, Members and Public Development Officer reached the protest site. They protesters submitted their protest petitions to the Government through them.