labels: economy - general
State govts to build bridge over Kabini news
James Paul
29 October 2001

Kochi: The state governments of Kerala and Karnataka will seek the Union governments clearance to construct a bridge over the river Kabini to connect the Wynad district in Kerala with the Mysore district in Karnataka.

Kerala PWD Minister Dr MK Munir and his Karnataka counterpart Dharam Singh held discussions on the issue. In a joint press conference, they said the proposed all-weather-link bridge at Byrankuppe would be a boon to the villagers living on either side of the river.

Singh said the bridge would result in opening up a new interstate route, reducing the distance between Wynad and Mysore by about 50 km. Veerappa Moily, when he was the Karnataka chief minister in 1994, had originally mooted the idea. Then Kerala chief minister K Karunakaran had also shown a keen interest in the project.

Though both the governments had given administrative clearances for the bridge - supposed to be constructed at the cost of Rs 1.85 crore and to be shared equally by both - the project did not materialise even as the foundation stone for the same was laid long ago.

The bridge is now estimated to cost about Rs 6.5 crore and both the governments have resolved to jointly apply for the sanctioning of the project under the respective Inter-State Road Development Funds. As the bridge falls under the Rajiv Gandhi National Park, which was declared as a game sanctuary some time back, it is mandatory to get Centres clearance for taking up the construction, Munir said adding that the Union environment ministry would also be approached for clearance.

They have also decided to approach the Centre to seek funds for the upgradation and maintenance of 15 interstate roads connecting the two states.

 

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State govts to build bridge over Kabini