The Gateway of Barkur – the Bridge over Sita

On that July 30th evening the most unfortunate incident took place, the Bridge over River Sita shown its first major symptom, to tell ‘Sorry I can’t bear it anymore’ – that too by not hurting no-one! (earlier the bridge developed gaps in between spans, and perhaps commuters refresh their experience of huge sounds of and mild jumps, as early as in 80’s, later hidden under a layer of tar over concrete, and a subsequent repair work costing 1 lakh in the year 1995-96)

The second span from Barkur Side totally damaged and the threat compelled the authorities to bring the heavy traffic to a complete halt, almost three weeks now!

The news and concern has become a subject of discussion everywhere including Karnataka Legislative Assembly. Many political leaders made a beeline to pay visits and inspected the site – Oscar Fernandes, Union Minister, H.D Revanna, State PWD Minister, Local M.P. Manorama Madwaraj….. and everyone promised that every action will be taken immediately.

It is the initiatives of local MLA Mr. Jayaprakash Hegde, deserve a mention, as he is doing his best to call attention of every authority and the Govt. Department and Tar Steel Foundation India, Bangalore, led by Sudarshan, submitted their plan to repair, it at the cost of 1.20 Crores.

Scope of Repair Work:

As per PWD In-Charge Engineer, Raj-Goapal, this 230 Meters, (distance between the abutment) long Concrete Bridge, consist of Eight Spans, and it is detected the foundation and Pillars or piers are in good condition.

Complete replacement of 2^nd span (Concrete Slab) from Barkur side, by new steel girder and semi-damaged 2^nd and 3^rd span from Brahmmavar Side, by filling concrete through grouting. And other places, i.e. 5 spans need minor works. More protection, (3 - 4 inches,) to be given to Iron rods, against salt water erosion.

It is well said every disaster, is an opportunity and we hope it will be repaired for better under the able guidance of, socially concerned Mr. Hegde.

The major two suspects:

The design of the Bridge, probably to carry capacity of 15 – 20 ton weight and the first re action by public was overloaded 40 – 50 tons, manganese ore carrying Trucks, in these days, in big number were the prime culprits.

According to some experts like Superintendent Engineer of Mangalore, Mr. Guru Prasad who inspected the Bridge opined, the fault in the very construction, as the doubts rose such as Salt water and sand consisting of salty moisture might have used in the preparation of Concrete! As it happens with Govt. PWD Department works, normally, quality, quantity budgeted and actually utilized differs especially – Steel, Cement.

In general huge increase of daily traffic over the years, once it has become State Highway and the age of the structure, not able to sustain it, and the poor maintenance!

Brief Background:

The most important bridge was sanctioned somewhere in 1966 and the started construction in the year1968 and it took almost 3 years and was ready by 1972 for public use.

During our school days the inauguration was took place in the presence late Mr. Veerendra Patil, the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, which was followed by a glittering public function near Barkur Panchayat office, near Church, at Govt. Primary School grounds.

To start with two Kollur bound Hanuman company buses and a City Bus to Udupi Manipal, there was a sea change in recent years, may be some 100 regular buses and trucks and other traffic leave aside! Now this is developed to be a major State Highway connecting Udupi – Barkur – Halady – Shimogga.

Widespread gloom at Barkur and suffering of a different kind:

The students studying at Brahmmavar, Kallianpur, Udupi, Manipal etc and traveling everyday  - coming from Barkur, and around are the worst affected lot among others.

All buses turn at Saibarakatte towards Kota and coming to Brahmmavar costing more time and money as 10-12 Kms extra! Understand some buses refusing to give sanctioned concession in fare. All Kokkarne line Buses return from Barkur itself. Exceptionally few go up to Bridge but timings unpredictable.

The sick, women, children find it very difficult to cope up, and business community, daily office goers, public functions etc are effected very badly.

The alternative route officially declared by DC Udupi - S.R.Umashankar i.e. Yadthady- Kavady- Karkada – Saligrama, would have been shortened the distance by another 5- 6 KMs, but not usable at the moment, even till summer and in very bad condition as about 3 k.m no tar.

Is it the right time for pressurizing substitute Bridge near Karvalnade to connect Hosala – Moodahadu:

Now it is 15 – 20 years a written appeal was forwarded to PWD authorities to develop Fisheries Road linking Sastan – Moodahadu – Barkur. Under spirited social workers like Karanth, of Moodahadu, the Road is laid half the way from Sastan side, unfortunately, Barkur Panchayat, slows to reciprocate! If this bridge was there, the inconvenience would have been minimum!

We read and heard that our MLA K. Jaya Prakash Hegde, is equally interested and concerned of this project, surely if he was in ruling front, something would have been done by now!

We at Barkur online, first of all, appeal the concerned authorities to start the ‘time bound repair work’ on war footing to complete it.

Planning for a parallel substitute bridge needs big budget, but can be considered. Secondly, the alternatives to be thought of for every such bridge across the District. It is a welcome development that heavy trucks are stopped plying on these bridges and Konkan Railway train ‘ro-ro system’ (loaded trucks traveling on special Goods trains) further be given boost.

On behalf of Barkur on-line and ICYM Barkur Ex-Member’s Association,

P. Archibald Furtado, Muscat, 15^th August, 2004.