Belthangady: 250 families to lose connectivity as Kukkuje bridge faces threat of collapse

Belthangady: The 30-year-old Kukkuje bridge, which offers connectivity to over 250 families in Belthangady taluk is facing the threat of collapse owing to negligence of the administration.

The bridge, constructed across a rivulet is situated 1-km away from Kukkuje Cross of Belthangady-Naravi State Highway. As many as 250 families residing in Maoist affected areas of Alamba in Kuthloru, Kuriyadi, Nelyapalke, Badekkila, Mardottu and Kullorttu are dependent on this bridge for connectivity.

According to the villagers, the bridge had developed cracks some seven years ago and every year the Panchayat Raj engineering department had been plastering the cracks before the monsoon. However no such measures were undertaken in the last two years owing to which the cracks have widened and the iron rods stand exposed, alleged the villagers.

Villagers have expressed fear that they may lose the only connectivity they have if the bridge collapses in the monsoon. The rivulet they pointed out is in spate from June to November and huge logs of wood are washed away during the rains, which hit the pillars of the bridge and can further widen the cracks.

Meanwhile, the engineers who recently inspected the bridge warned against plying of heavy vehicles on the bridge in view of the danger it posed.

Following an appeal from villagers, Belthangady MLA Harish Poonja directed the Panchayat Raj engineering department to prepare an estimate for the repair works. The cost for replacing the pillar is estimated at Rs 5 to 6 lakh, said an official adding that construction of pillar was not possible after the onset of rain.