The collapse of the bridge on a major district road linking Moodbidri-Mangaluru national highway with Moodbiri-Bantwal State highway at Moolara Patna in Bantwal taluk on Monday landed many people in adjoining villages in trouble.
The bridge connected Mangaluru taluk with Bantwal taluk on the borders of the two taluks. Now, residents of Moolara Patna living on the Bantwal taluk side have been forced to travel about 8 km more to reach Moodbidri via Sornadu and Siddakatte. Otherwise, they would have travelled easily to Moodbidri via Kuppepadavu. On the other hand, those living on the Mangaluru taluk side have been forced to travel about 16 km more to reach B.C. Road via Ganjimutt and Polali, a nearby resident Arun Fernandes said.
The bridge built across the Phalguni river about five decades ago was the main link for Moolara Patna and Arala village residents to reach Muttur, Kuppepadavu and other surrounding areas. With the link cut off, these residents have to walk across the hanging bridge nearby to reach Muttur. The road is the preferred route used by residents of Moolara Patna, Sornadu and Kuriyala villages in Bantwal taluk to reach Mangaluru International Airport and Kateel.
Among those affected included students of Government School and Pre-University College, Muttur. “Nearly 60% of the students in our high school and college are from Moolara Patna and Arala villages. There are 30 students from these two villages in primary section of the school,” said Manglauru South Block Education Officer Lokesh.
The students, who were coming by four-wheelers and by buses, have to now walk across the hanging bridge to reach the school. “For the next few weeks, teachers will accompany the young students as they walk across the handing bridge,” Mr. Lokesh said. This was decided following a meeting of teachers, parents and members of School Development and Management Committee on Tuesday, he added.
Following visits of Rajesh Naik U., MLA, Bantwal, Nalin Kumar Kateel, MP, and Sasikanth Senthil S., Deputy Commissioner, to the spot on Tuesday, the work started on providing a clear access way to the hanging bridge. “Presently, the narrow mud road leading to the bridge is slippery. We hope the condition improves,” said a teacher of Muttur school. The Government School and College, Muttur, was closed on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, in-charge Assistant Regional Transport Officer John Misquith said the buses from B.C. Road to Kuppepadavu, Moodbidri and Kateel will stop at Moolara Patna. “I have deputed a traffic inspector to explore alternate routes on which these buses can ply,” he said.
Mr. Naik said he has asked Public Works Minister H.D. Revanna to get the bridge repaired at the earliest. “Mr. Kateel has asked officials to explore getting NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) funds for the repair work,” he said.