Check illegal activities at Wellesley Bridge, urge locals

Mysuru: Wellesley Bridge across the river Cauvery near Sivanasamudra in Chamarajanagar is of historical significance. It is a major draw among tourists too.
Unfortunately, the popularity of the bridge has proven to be a source of anguish, largely owing to the many irresponsible visitors who have turned the site into a favoured spot for consumption of liquor, and other illegal activities. Many reckless tourists have turned the bridge into a pad to dive into the water much to the dismay of local police, who say the chances of getting swept away in the currents is alarmingly high.
Although its actual name is Lushington Bridge, the 400-metre structure dating back more than 200 years is better known as Wellesley Bridge in honour of colonial administrator Lord Richard Colley Wellesley. In July 2018, a portion of the bridge was washed away by the rising waters of the Cauvery, and it was repaired and renovated only recently. Government authorities who oversaw its repair added 80 new stone pillars to the structure. In its new avatar, the bridge, near the Madhyaranga temple en route Barachukki Falls, is beckoning visitors galore.
Former gram panchayat member Rajashekar lamented the tourists’ disregard for the sanctity of the bridge, and the environment. Pointing to the many warning signs and boards erected by the taluk authorities, asking visitors not to consume liquor, or engage in illegal activities, tourists continued to flour the rules, he said. “People keep creeping close to dangerous spots frequented by crocodiles. The district administration, department of tourism, and local cops, must put in place measures to curb illegal activities near the bridge lest tragedy strikes,” Rajashekar told TOI.
Assistant director of tourism, Chamarajanagar, Raghavendra R said, if the locals put forth a demand for ‘pravasi mitras’ to serve as guides to tourists, the department could consider the request. “The maintenance of the bridge does not come under the purview of our department. We need inter-departmental coordination, assistance from locals to check illegal activities at the bridge,” he said.
Additional superintendent of police, Chamarajanagar, TJ Udesh said they had taken cognisance of the problem, adding that Kollegal cops would instructed to keep watch near the bridge, particularly during the weekends.