Public Works Minister Satish Jarkiholi on Friday announced that the Karnataka government has prepared a blueprint to construct 100 footbridges across the state each year. Speaking to reporters at Halase village in Mudigere taluk, he informed that work on 20 footbridges has already commenced for Rs 20 crore.
He added that Rs 1 crore has been sanctioned in 36 assembly constituencies for footbridge construction. A survey is underway to assess rain-related damages in the Malnad region, and compensation measures will be initiated after the report is submitted, the minister stated.
Jarkiholi also noted that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has directed deputy commissioners and Zilla Panchayat CEOs in all districts to manage the flood situation. An action plan for repairing the damaged Mudigere–Sakleshpur road is being readied, and funds will be released accordingly.
Referring to earlier efforts, the minister mentioned that in 2014, 40 bridges were sanctioned under then PWD Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, with the Karnataka Road Development Corporation Ltd (KRDCL) entrusted with construction. Twenty of these bridges have been completed, and the rest are still under progress. However, the Hemavathi River bridge at Bettadamane village remains stalled for 11 years due to technical issues.
Jarkiholi further said that a proposal is under consideration to merge KRDCL with the Public Works Department (PWD). He also inspected the deteriorated Devavrinda–Japavathi bridge during his visit.
In addition, the minister revealed that the state is set to construct 100 km of railway barricades annually around forest areas to address the elephant menace. Barricading work is already underway in Gundlupet, Hassan, and other locations. Plans are also being made to develop an elephant corridor and ensure the availability of fodder and water within forest zones to prevent elephants from venturing into human settlements.
Hassan MP Shreyas Patel, MLAs T.D. Rajegowda, H.D. Thammaiah, Nayana Motamma, former minister B.B. Ningaiah, and SP Vikram Amte were present.
