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.
|