MANGALURU: The much-touted proposal of setting up a rope bridge between Sultan Battery and Tannir Bavi has gathered momentum with the state government releasing Rs 6 crore through the public works department. The then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa had laid the foundation for the rope bridge at Sultan Battery in August, 2010.

Later, another foundation laying ceremony was held for same project two years later in January, 2013.

Both these foundation stones are a grand testimony to the government’s apathy towards the tourism sector in the region. The project, however, faced several technical and political glitches. The 410 m bridge with 10 ft walkway is expected to attract a large number of tourists to Sultan Battery and Tannir Bavi- the city’s two prominent tourist spots.

Although the construction work commenced in 2012, lack of funds stalled the project as the earlier government released only Rs 1 crore for the Rs 12 crore-project. The contract was awarded to Mangalur- based Yojaka India Limited (YIL) through Dakshina Kannada Nirmithi Kendra as the monitoring agency. At present, the estimate cost has been increased to Rs 18 crore, and the government has released the first installment of Rs 6 crore.

Ma ngaluru City South MLA J R Lobo said the government will realize the long-pending dreams of people to have a hanging bridge between Sultan Battery and Tannir Bavi. “The bridge will be constructed 25 ft above the water level of Phalguni river backwater. The project will be implemented through PWD as the estimate cost exceeds the limits of tourism department. The work will commence soon. The remaining funds will be released in two installments as the work progresses,” he said, a dding the work should be complete in two years.

Courtesy: Times of India