'Tannirbavi hanging bridge to become reality in two years'

Mangaluru, Apr 17: After the fate of the hanging bridge at Tannirbavi on the outskirts of Mangaluru city was left ‘hanging’ for over two years, the state government has released a grant of Rs 6 crore for the construction of the Tannirbavi-Sultan Battery hanging bridge from in the first phase.

Briefing media persons after inspection of developmental works in the city, Mangaluru South MLA J R Lobo said that the hanging bridge project had been brushed aside and neglected from several years due to uncertainty of funds.

The 410-metre long and 10-feet wide bridge was proposed to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 12 crores and 25 feet above sea level. The project had been initiated in 2006, and a sum of Rs 1 crore had been subsequently sanctioned in 2008. Although the construction works on the hanging bridge began in 2012, there had to be halted due to dearth of sufficient funds from the state PWD, he said.

Wishing to revive the project this time, the MLA had sought funds for the project from the public works department since there were insufficient funds in the tourism department.

Subsequently, the PWD released a grant of Rs 6 crore in the first phase to recommence the construction works on the bridge, said Mr Lobo, adding that the works would begin shortly.

He informed that an additional grant of Rs 6 crore would be released for the project in the second phase. The project will be likely to be completed in the next two years, he said. Mr Lobo also assured that the toy train at Kadri Park would be revived shortly within few months’ time.