Ullal: Installation of wire-mesh fence on Netravati bridge begins

Mangaluru: Wire-mesh fencing installation has begun on both sides of the Netravati bridge on Saturday, July 4, in order to curb the number of suicides at the bridge.

Netravati river is the lifeline for Dakshina Kannada district and passes beneath Ullal and Panemangaluru bridges, but presently, it has become a suicide spot, which in-turn has become a headache for the district administration and the police.

Since there is a four-lane national highway between Mangaluru and Talapady, two bridges have been built across the Netravati river near Jeppinamogaru. The bridges are a total of 840 meters long. Wire-mesh fencing needs to be installed on both the sides of the bridges. In its proposal to NHAI, the then Mangaluru Police Commissioner had asked for the installation of 10 feet tall, iron wire-mesh fence on either side of both the bridges at Ullal.

In the last couple of months, over 6 people have attempted suicide by jumping off into the river from either bridge and lost their lives.

Rise in suicide after Siddhartha case

Last year on July 29th, Café Coffee Day founder Siddhartha committed suicide by jumping into the Netravati river from Ullal bridge and since then, there is a rise in victims coming from outer districts and committing suicide.

Along with the Siddhartha case, three persons including a lady have committed suicide from here in a span of three months. Two others who were attempting suicide were rescued. One person, who has parked his vehicle near the bridge and gone missing has not yet been found.