Residents of villages in Karnataka’s Sringeri, Koppa taluks demand bridges to cross rivulets

During the monsoon, several villages in parts of Sringeri and Koppa taluks of Chikkamagaluru, which are located on the banks of rivulets, lose connectivity to the outer world. They are dependent on rickety bridges, temporarily built across water flow, to reach the neighbouring village or the nearest highway to catch a transport facility.

Chandrashekhar, 55, a resident of Malnad, one such village in Sringeri taluk, fell off a footbridge on August 28. His body was found a couple of days later at a distance from the spot. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

There have been instances when people accidentally fall off the bridge while crossing the rivulets. Earlier in June 2018, two schoolchildren — Divya and Mallige of Vandagadde, also in Sringeri taluk, fell into a stream while crossing the bridge that connects the village to the nearest road. Fortunately, Mallige’s father, Singappa Gowda, was also around, and he succeeded in rescuing them.

Manishekhar Ballikonda, a resident of the locality, said that the people had been demanding proper bridges for many years. “Whenever accidents occur, the elected representatives and officers make promises. But they forget to fulfil them. Chandrashekhar lost his life because there were no proper bridges to cross the water body,” he said.

The residents of Vandagadde, Avige, Malnad, Minagaradi, and Huligaradi in Sringeri taluk, and Kadagundi, Kalmakki, and neighbouring villages in Koppa taluk said that they need bridges for daily commute. “We villagers have put up temporary footbridges utilising wooden poles and rope. There are no safety measures in place,” said Venkatesh, a resident of Huligaradi.

The residents stated that they face difficulties whenever people fall sick and need emergency healthcare. Family members have to carry them on their shoulders for long distances to get a vehicle. “I don’t know for how long we have to go through this situation. We have been facing difficulties during every rainy season,” added Mr. Venkatesh.