Bantwal: Baddakatte Bridge in Precarious Condition: Users Fear Losing Important Link
Pic: Kartik Studio
Report: Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Bantwal, May 30: The Baddakatte Bridge, which serves as an important link, is 72 years old. The bridge is in a dilapidated state and runs the risk of breaking down any time now. Even though a grant of Rs 50 lac has been set apart for building a new bridge, it is not yet certain as to when the new bridge will see the light of the day.
This multi-utility bridge is located on the road that leads to Kadur state highway from B C Road through Bantwal town. People of several villages depend on this bridge to reach Bantwal town and B C Road.
Hundreds of vehicles including buses pass through this bridge on day-to-day basis. This road and bridge play an important role in the business and other activities going on in Bantwal town.
In case the bridge collapses, buses and other vehicles coming from various places including Dharmasthala will have to directly go through the state highway and stop at Bantwal by pass. The people will have to alight there, and hire vehicles or come by walk, to Bantwal town in such a situation.
The bridge had lost its carrying capacity several years ago and the impending danger was visualized long ago. The general public has been demanding for erecting a new bridge in its place. Even though funds have been sanctioned for the purpose, no work has as yet, begun.
The local administration, worried over the possibility of the bridge facing danger during the rainy season, has built a temporary road by the side of the existing bridge, by providing cement pipes for support. However, the mud laid on the pipes has been washed away due to the recent rain. If the rain intensifies, there is every possibility that the mud as well as the cement pipes will be washed away. Unless the concerned take immediate steps to address the problem, it is not difficult to gauge the suffering the people will have to undergo once this important link gets snapped.