Mangaluru: Work on the construction of a bridge-cum-barrage across River Nethravathi, offering connectivity between Adyar and Harekala is likely to commence in the second week of December.
The state government had invited tenders for the Rs 174 crore project, part of the Paschima Vahini Scheme launched in 2017 to build vented dams across west-flowing rivers and a firm owned by entrepreneur G Shankar has won the bid. Another Hyderabad-based company SRS Constructions too had bid for the project.
The bridge has been a long-standing demand of people from Adyar and Harekala, who otherwise have to take a circuitous route to reach the city. Apart from offering direct connectivity, the project will also help harvest water and meet the drinking water needs of Ullal and nearby areas.
The project will provide 520 meters long and 8.8-meter high barrage. A 10-meter wide bridge will be built to connect Harekala and Adyar.
The estimated project cost was approved in March 2019, whereafter tenders were invited for the project, informed Gokuldas, Minor Irrigation official from Mangalore Division. The project will be completed within 2 years said an official from Minor Irrigation Department
The barrage will have 52 gates with a capacity to store 0.66 TMC feet water and will be constructed downstream of Thumbe vented dam.
Presently, water can be stored up to a height of 8.5 meters. However, the height of the barrage can be increased based on future requirements. Keeping this in mind, the foundation will be built to aid increase the height in the future, informed the officials.
Mangaluru Assembly Constituency MLA U T Khadar said that this is one of his dream projects in the constituency.
