For ferrying the villagers to Kajoor, one has to pay a sum of Rs 5 to the one who rows the boat. The elected representatives have been promising a bridge across river Nethravathi from Kolli to Kajoor for the past several years. However, the promise has remained only on paper. Kajoor-Kolli is 18 km away from Belthangady. As many as 3,000 persons live in the region. The villagers have been urging the construction of a bridge with the Mavlavanthige, Mithabagilu Gram Panchayats for the last several years. In fact, during 2008-09, when Prabhakar Bangera was the MLA, a sum of Rs 1.8 lakh was released for the bridge.
However, the work on the bridge never started. Later, the PWD came forward to construct the bridge. However, the proposal is still pending before the government.
Hindu and Muslim places of worship are situated in Kolli which has Durgadevi temple and Kajoor has a durgha which attracts devotees from all over.
The villagers from Kolli can reach Ujire, Didupe quickly by travelling in a native boat as the distance between Kolli and Kajoor is just one kilometre if one crosses the river.
A temporary bridge was constructed in the region for the movie ‘chigurida kanasu’ starring Shivaraj Kumar. However, the dream for a permanent bridge is still a mirage.
“I have fought for the construction of a bridge. We have to spend atleast Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 to construct a ‘theppa’ every year. Crores of rupees are spent for development works. Inspite of sanctioning funds for the bridge, the tender process has not yet commenced,” said Kolli resident Thungappa Poojary.
“We have been demanding for a bridge for the last several years,” said Anni Kulal. “The native boat had turned turtle last year. We had a tough time in rescuing the children,” said Kajoo resident Yakub.