Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Dec 22: The coastal city of Mangaluru is steadily transforming into a smart city, with not only road works but several other development projects being taken up under Smart City funding. In a major infrastructure boost, the largest arch bridge in Dakshina Kannada (DK) district is being constructed for the first time with Smart City funds.
The arch-shaped bridge, also referred to as a bowstring bridge, is coming up between Sultan Battery and Tannirbhavi. Construction work is progressing at a rapid pace, and the Smart City authorities aim to complete the project and inaugurate it within the next year.
At present, those travelling from Mangaluru city to Tannirbhavi Beach have to depend on ferry services from Sultan Battery as the nearest route. Otherwise, they must travel nearly 8 km by road via Kuloor. Ferry services are also suspended after 7.30 pm. Once the arch bridge becomes operational, it will not only benefit visitors to Tannirbhavi Beach but will also greatly help residents of Tannirbhavi and Bengre areas, enabling them to return home easily at night after work.
A 98-metre-long arch bridge is being constructed between Sultan Battery and Tannirbhavi. The structure has been brought from Chennai. The bridge will be built at a height of about 10 metres above the river’s highest flood level. Two ramps with spans of 31 metres each will be constructed on both sides, along with approach roads of 100 metres on either side. Including all components, the total length of the bridge will be around 480 metres. From the Sultan Battery side, the bridge will have connectivity near the Sri Amritanandamayi Math at Bolur.
As part of the bridge connecting the two shores, several pillars have already been constructed. On one side of the river, water has been temporarily blocked to facilitate pillar construction. Subsequently, work on the connecting road towards Tannirbhavi is also underway.
Once the project is fully completed and inaugurated, residents of the Tannirbhavi and Bengre areas are expected to experience significant relief and improved connectivity.