Mangaluru: The tender process for the construction of a bridge-cum-barrage across river Nethravathi between Harekala and Adyar has been completed and the work will start soon. Apart from cutting the distance between Harekala and Adyar, this project will also likely address the water needs of the Mangaluru city.
Addressing the media, MLA U T Khader, on Wednesday, January 22, said that, after the completion of this bridge-cum-barrage, it will provide direct connectivity between Harekala and Adyar and will fulfil the water needs of the Mangaluru taluk. “As we have witnessed a severe water crisis in the past few years, this new bridge-cum-barrage has come as a boon to the people of Mangaluru. Once the project is completed, we will able to store around two meters of water in the barrage, which is sufficient for Mangaluru in the summer,” Khader said.
Showing the blueprint of the project Khader added that the barrage will be constructed downstream of the Thumbe vented dam at a cost of Rs 194 crores. Around four meters of water can be stored in the barrage if it is completed in the next two years. “However, if we want to store water at around four meters, some nearby areas will get submerged. No land will be submerged if we store water up to only two meters. This bridge-cum-barrage will prevent saltwater form mixing with the sweet water,” he said.
The proposal for the project was submitted by Minor Irrigation Department officials to the state Cabinet for approval. The tender was entrusted to G Shankar’s company and the project is expected to be completed within two years. The bridge will benefit the residents of around 20 villages in and around Harekala, Khader added.
Mangaluru Taluk Panchayat president Mohammed Monu and other Congress leaders Ishwar Ullal, Alwyn D’Souza, Mohammed Musthafa and others were present.
