A view of the cable stayed bridge connecting Kalasavalli and Ambaragodlu in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district in Karnataka. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari dedicated the bridge to the nation on July 14, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Sathish G.T.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari dedicated the cable-stayed bridge constructed across Sharavati river backwaters in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district in Karnataka on July 14.
The bridge is the culmination of a long-time aspiration of people residing in villages of Karuru and Barangi hoblis in Sagar taluk. The villagers, in a celebration mood, decorated the bridge with mango leaves.
Mr. Gadkari was accompanied by Union Minister of Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi, former CM B.S. Yediyurappa, former minister Kagodu Thimmappa, Shivamogga MP B.Y. Raghavendra and other elected representatives.
The bridge and the approach roads have been constructed at a cost of over ₹473 crore, by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
The local residents wanted a bridge to cross the backwaters. They lost road connectivity following the construction of Linganmakki dam to generate power in the 1960s. Since then, people have been demanding a bridge.
Initially, the people were dependent on coracles. But, in a tragic incident, 21 persons, including newly-wed couples, died after a boat capsized in the backwaters. That incident forced the authorities to provide ferries. Since then, the residents had been depending on ferries operated by the Department of Ports and Inland Water Transport.
In recent decades, the demand for a bridge grew louder as the number of people visiting Chowdeshwari temple at Sigandur increased. The bridge comes as a boon for devotees as the travel time will come down significantly.
Published – July 14, 2025 01:00 pm IST
