Gurpur bridge to be done by next year: Nalin

Mangaluru: “As per the agreement, two years duration is given for the completion of Gurpur bridge, that is February 2021. But looking at the progress of the work, the bridge will be completed and Inaugurated by February end of 2020,” said MP Nalin Kumar after visiting the construction work of Gurpur Bridge across Phalguni River here accompanied by Mangaluru North MLA Dr Bharath Y Shetty on Saturday, June 22.

“The construction of Kulshekar-Karkala four-lane road was very much needed as this is one of the busy roads that connect some tourist and pilgrimage places. The problem was that the Gurpur Bridge was very old and difficult to travel due to its pathetic condition,” said the MP.

“When Moolarapatna Bridge collapsed, people had suspicion over the fitness of Gurpur Bridge. So, we invited officials from Bengaluru to conduct fitness test of the bridge and the report said that it was usable for next 10 years. In spite of this report, we pressurized the government. Minister Nithin Gadkari showed special interest and released Rs 39.42 crore for the Gurpur Bridge, and with the help of state government, tender was called. Tender was taken up by Mugrody Construction run by Sudhakar Shetty,” added Nalin.

“Government has given go ahead for construction of Mangaluru Bypass Road. This road will connect Talapady from Mulky via Kinnigoli, Kateel, Bajpe, Gurpur Kaikamba, Polali, B C Road, Melkar, Mudipu and Konaje. This bypass will be constructed under the ‘Bharat Mala’ scheme. The present Gurpur Bridge will become the bypass road for Gurpur, it will connect Mangaluru Kulshekar national highway through Addoor. A flyover will be built in Addoor and it will become a prominent junction,” said the MP.

MLA, Dr Bharath Shetty spoke on the occasion and said, “Moolarapatna road belongs to PWD. I and Bantwal MLA Rajesh Naik are pressurizing the government for building a bridge there. The tender process will be complete by the end of monsoon and the new bridge will be operational next year.”