Kushalnagar: Not long ago people living in border areas of Mysuru and Kodagu district had to walk miles as they were unable to cross the river which separates the two districts. During summer bamboo coracles were used to ferry people and once monsoon started it was a distant dream though the distance was within reach. Flooding in Cauvery used to dampen the hopes of people living in border areas as children had to forego schools and laborers their daily bread. What one would think less than 300 meter coracle ride during summer would stretch to few kilometers during rainy season and the distance had to be covered by foot alone. River Cauvery separated Kodagu and Mysuru districts near Teppadakandi village ( Teppa means coracle).
As usual the people staying across the river submitted pleas to various authorities requesting them to find a solution.The government felt that it would not be viable to construct a concrete bridge to satisfy few villagers. The villages which were affected were Ranigate, Doddehosur, Maroor and Doddarave. These villagers were deprived of daily wages as they could not reach the estates in Kodagu for work where as from Kodagu side they were denied quick access to reach Mysuru city and people had to walk few kilometers extra to reach their destination.
When people living across the river realized that their demand would not be met they remained silent for years. Their dreams fell flat like a coracle!
After few years Sadananda Gowda became the chief minister of the state. Villagers’ fortune changed as his wife jaji hailed from a nearby village called Guddehosur and both of them were aware of the problem faced by people. He initiated action and succeeding in constructing a hanging bridge using the expertise of Girish Bharadwaj a renowned engineer from Sullia, specialized in the field of designing and constructing hanging bridges.
Today little children cross flooded river Cauvery with ease and villagers can use two wheelers if required to reach the other side.
One can watch people involved in river rafting standing atop the bridge. The picturesque surrounding of agricultural fields, flowing tourist traffic, fishing activities in the vicinity bring out more smiles on the faces of villagers living in the area.
