Due to the construction of the Bhadra reservoir, the basic infrastructure facilities and road connectivity to important centres in the taluk centre that existed even before independence had to be forgone. Consequently, people were forced to take a detour to various villages as well as the district headquarters. At this stage, the residents of N R Pura requested the government as well the then prime minister Indira Gandhi to develop the route through Kusagal village in the taluk to Chikmagalur by constructing a bridge across Bhadra river. 
Following this, responding to the request of the people here, the government released Rs 33.7 lakh in 1978-79 for the development of the land which was submerged. For the development of the road, Rs 22.5 lakh was spent and the rest of the amount was left unutilised, informed taluk development board former member Honnekodige Krishnaiah.
People still remember that politicians of that time including K M Veerappagowda, Beganeramaiah, H G Govindagowda and former Minor Irrigation Minister D B Chandregowda had put in efforts for developing the road.
No political will
Despite all these efforts, due to the lack of political will on the part of the people’s representatives in the region and the region coming under the jurisdiction of Hebbe Reserve Forest, the government presumed that the Forest Act might become a hurdle in the  development of the road. Hence, the government hesitated from taking any initiative in this regard. The residents of the taluk were thus forced to travel a long distance of 96 kms to the district headquarters instead of 55 kms. 
All said and done, there are many instances wherein many important highways in the State have passed through reserve forests including Kudremukh, Nagarahole and Bandipur. What needs to be noted here is that the road which provides a link to the district have been in use as mud roads since long and it only requires to be converted into a pakka road. Moreover, as the road already existed, officials say that the repair of the road will not breach any rules included in the Forest Act.
Multipurpose road
While the government has been constructing resorts in the reserve forest area, the multi-purpose road will cause more damage than help. If the road is constructed, the people can reach the district headquarters within an hour and a half instead of three-and-a-half hours. Apart from this, it will reduce the distance to the districts close to the State capital.
The time, money and fuel saved this way and the reduction in the traffic congestion on the existing road will infuse new life into the taluk centre which is losing its prominence.
It is said that the government projects are proving to be detrimental to development and it has caused apprehensions in the minds of the people. Hence, people expect that the people’s representatives will understand their responsibilities and work towards the development of the region.