Latest on Barkur Bridge

The renovation work on the  Barkur bridge, which got into a dilapidated state last year owing to movement of over-loaded iron-ore lorries, will be completed by June 2006, said K Jayaprakash Hegde, MLA, Brahmavar, on Monday, September 5.

While the demolition of the bridge will be completed by the end of September, the reconstruction will commence in October. Two spans of the bridge have been removed. Remaining five supporting pillars are in good condition.

The bridge will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 3.20 crore, he informed.

JOC Lecturers’ strike, Students’ Appeal to the Government.

The suffering students, due to the ongoing strike of lecturers’ of the Professional Educational cell of the National Pre University College, Barkur  have appealed to the Government intervention.  The lecturers’ are on strike from the last few days with some demands and students are missing their classes.  The poor students who could not pursue the technical education are enrolled in the professional courses and demanded that the strike to be ended for their benefit.

Pillar of Barkur Bridge Collapses during Renovation - Workers have Narrow Escape 

Fortune favoured nearly the 50 construction workers who are working at the under construction Barkur Bridge near Brahmavar here on Thursday September 1 as the northern pillar of the bridge collapsed when they had taken a tea break.

As known Barkur Bridge had developed cracks due to the excess running of manganese ore laden lorries. Due to this the repair work was undertaken from August 1, almost a year after the bridge gave away. The plan was to lay a new concrete surface on the old pillars since a team by Torsteel Foundation had suggested that the pillars are good enough to hold pressure for some more years.

The bridgework was undertaken after much demand and appeals from locals. Accordingly the demolition work of the old slab (lining bridge) was to be replaced with a new one. The construction work has been undertaken by Laugh Constructions from Kasargod. Speaking to the reporters PWD engineer Suresh Shetty who visited the place said that the old bridgework has been below par. "Torsteel Foundation who had earlier conducted the study and given report that the new slab could be laid on the old pillars will once again be contacted with today's incident. Till they visit and give the report work will be under suspension. The budget for the construction of bridge had been set without considering the work of pillars based on the report of Torsteel Foundation. But present situation is such that we may have to consider the option of changing all the old pillars too."

The locals however, said that the pillar collapsed due to the excessive use to explosives to demolish the slab. Meanwhile MLC V S Acharya who visited the spot has urged the administration to complete the work within the stipulated period and not to delay the project on the pretext of the collapse.

From Daijiworld.com

History Enthusiasts visit Barkur Fort.

“Karnataka: History and Culture”  is the main topic of the ongoing seminar jointly  organized by the Mangalore University History Lecturers Association and Kateel Durga Parameshwari Temple. The delegates of the seminar visited Barkur Fort area as a part of the seminar recently and talked to the officials involved in the ongoing excavation in the fort area.

The delegates also visited the SMS college , Brahmavar and attended a small function where a essay on  the history of Barkur was read by  Historian Dr. Jagadeesh Shetty. He briefed the gathering about  the history of Barkur, the name and its derivation, latest findings from the recent excavations and  things to be researched in the further excavation. 

'Boat Service’ to cross the river.

As the reconstruction work on the damaged bridge is going on full swing,  boat service is started  to cross the river from 9^th August. A boat with 9 BHP outboard engine is provided for the purpose and gaining  popularity  among the daily commuters.   Elderly people are remembering the forgotten days of yester years  before 1968, when they used to cross the river with boats.

Explosives used in the Bridge cause damage to the houses!?

Residents of Kachur village Barkur, have complained about the damage caused to their houses by the explosives used for the breaking of the damaged bridge. They  also tried to stop the reconstruction work as per reports.

Explosives were used to  break the bridge from  last Saturday and the debris from the explosions caused the damage to the concrete structures of the surrounding 40 houses and caused holes in the rooftops as complained by the Kachur resident Mr. Fredrick D’ Almeida to the journalists who visited the place. There was an argument between the residents and the workers and residents tried to stop the job. They have also complained to the District authorities , Local MLA and the Panchayath authorities and requested to continue the job without explosives.

When asked about the incident, local MLA, Mr. Jayaprakash Hegde responded that the reconstruction job cannot be completed within the stipulated 9 months without the use of  explosives. But  keeping the best interest of the residents in mind,  the use of explosives will be stopped, he added.

Finally, its happening!

The much awaited reconstruction job on the ill famed Barkur Bridge kicked off today  with the  cheering of the people.  Hundreds of people gathered around the bridge to witness the demolition of the damaged bridge amidst of the heavy downpour.  PWD  Excecutive Engineer Mr. Suresh Shetty,  Officials from Laff Constructions and local leaders were present.

The bridge had been closed for public use for the last one year after it had collapsed owing to the overusage by manganese ore-laden lorries.  Though the construction work was expected much earlier, it was delayed for many reasons and because of intervention by a lot of persons.

When for the first time the construction work was all set to begin, the son of the owner of construction company from Kasargod who has been given the tender to construct bridge passed away.  This was followed by the visit of district in-charge minister who tried to gain political advantage of the situation by criticizing the Brahmavar MLA K Jayaprakash Hegde for conducting 'guddali pooja' without his permission.

Some of the local leaders too had tried to fish in the murky waters by taking the sides of either the minister or the MLA.  But the MLA had made it clear that he would not succumb to any pressure and call off the work.  Accordingly the work was to begin on Sunday, July 24.  But it has been raining heavily here for the last 3 days.

As per the contract, the work has be completed exactly in 9 months from the day it begins.  Accordingly the construction company has to hand over the bridge after completing the work on March 30, 2006.  If they fail meet the deadline, they will be fined, so states the contract.  After the company hands over the bridge to the PWD, the roadwork will be carried out and the bridge will be thrown open to the general public by May, 2006.

The bridge, estimated to cost Rs 3.20 crore, is to be built using a new technology, which will be introduced for the first time in the district of Udupi.  The earlier bridge was built in 1970 at a cost of Rs 12.5 lac.  The pillars of the old bridge are said to be very strong still and need not changed, said some experts who had visited the place earlier.

Patron's Feast celebrated at Mumbai.

Mumbai based St.Peter’s Association (Barkur) Mumbai   celebrated the Patron’s feast recently at Fatima Church, Vidya Vihar. The celebrations kicked off with the high mass at the church.

Later at the function organized at the Fatima Church Hall, President Mr. Henry Roche welcomed and introduced all the members and the guests gathered for the celebration. General Secretary Mr. Ivan Rebello presented a brief report of the activities of association in the past year and the plans for the future.  The main activities were, Patron’s feast, distributing the school uniform to all children from 4^th to 7^th standard of Mary knoll Primary School, One computer to the High school at a cost of Rs.25000, Wilfy Nite, Assistance in the various projects of Mary Knoll School and the Barkur Parish and various programmes with the other associations of Mumbai.

According to the plans, the association is gearing up for the general election of the new office bearers.  They are also planning for an Office for the association at Mumbai and to donate a class room for the National First Grade Degree College.

Mr. Richard Carvalho, who donated Rs.10,000 for the Computer Teacher at Mary Knoll School, Barkur on behalf of the association was honored on the occasion.

Mr. Felix Barnes and Vice –President Mr. Peter Furtado spoke on the occasion and elaborated on the plans of the association.

The children of the members who excelled in the academics were honored.  Mr. Richard Carvalho proposed the vote of thanks.

The celebrations were crowned with sumptuous meal, variety entertainment, games and jokes, was aptly conducted by Joint secretary Mr. Ivan Suares.

-Mrs. Nirmala Rebello, Mumbai

Elections of The Expressions.

The general body meeting and elections for the new office bearers of the popular cultural group ‘The Expressions’ was held recently at Barkur.

Young entrepreneur Mr. Denis Rodrigues, Airody, Sasthan, was elected as the President of the group while Mr. Eric Soans, founder secretary of the group retained his position for the third consecutive term.  Mrs. Gretta Lewis, Saligrama elected as the Vice President. The other new office bearers are,

Mrs. Sushma Carvalho : Joint Secretary,  Mr. Alwyn Andrade : Cultural Secretary,  Mrs. Patricia D’ Almeida : Treasurer,  Mrs. Zita Gonsalves : Joint Cultural secretary  and Mrs. Marina Gonsalves : PRO.

Mr. Lancelot D’ Almeida,   honorary member conducted the elections. Ex- President Praveen Carvalho wished the new committee all the success and handed over the charge to the newly elected President.

Obituary

Mr.Benedict D’Souza,  Kachur, Barkur
Husband of Mrs. Theresa Lobo
Birth :03/09/1916  Married on : 25/05/1948

Mr. Benedict D’Souza of “BENRISE”, Rayara Thota, Kacchur Village, Barkur, Husband of Mrs. Theresa Lobo, Father of  Dulcine/Late Joseph Corda, Gilbert/Rosy, Augustine/Cynthia, Daisy/Late Leo Barnes, Mabel/Ivan Furtado, Dolphy/Judith, Wilma/George Fernandes,  and  Meena/Edwin Saldanha expired on 14^th  July2005. Funeral cortege leaves residence at 4 p.m. on 17^th July 2005 to St.Peter’s Church, Barkur. Contact Number : 0820 2587846

Honoring the bright students at Barkur

Birthday remembrance of late Swami Purushotthamanandaji , former President of the Ramakrishnashrama, Belgaum and also the former student of National Junior College, and honoring the bright students was held recently at the National Junior College Auditorium. The correspondent of the college Mr. B. Seetharama Shetty presided over the function.

Hotelier from Hubli, Mr. Karunakara Shetty, the chief guest, facilitated the students who excelled in the academics in the last academical year. He also announced a donation of Rs. 1 lakh for the benefits of the students.

Speaking on the occasion, Kannada lecturer K. Raghurama Bhat narrated the rare personality of the late Swami Purushotthamanandaji and his financial support to the college. Mr. B. Seetharama Shetty also remembered the love Swamiji poured on the institution.

All the students from SSLC and PUC who passed in first class last year were rewarded with cash awards.

Principal Mr. K. Shankaranarayan Aithal welcomed and Jyothi Shetty proposed the vote of thanks. Mr. R. R. Bandi conducted the proceedings.

-Harry DSouza