JOIN USSulthan Battery, one of the distinguished tourist spots of the city is all set to rise into another level to become the major tourist hotspot with all facilities.
Thanks to hanging bridge project, if everything goes on well according to the plan, a 25 feet tall hanging bridge will be built between Sulthan Battery and Tannirbhavi beach soon.
According to MLA N Yogish Bhat who is instrumental in setting up the project, the administration is taking help from NITK for civil works, to make the bridge earthquake and tsunami-resistant while Engineer Girish Bharadhwaj will look after the mechanical part of this rare construction by ‘Nirmiti Kendra’.
“The bridge will have a length of 400 metres and a width of 10 feet. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 12 crore and a sum of Rs 4 crore has been released,” he added.
‘No problem for ferry’
For the time being, two boats ferry people between Sultan Battery and Tannirbavi, besides providing fun ride. Bolur Mogavira Sabha has the responsibility to look after the crew, numbering eight.
Speaking to City Herald, Wesley, one of the crew welcomed the hanging bridge project, though he is bit worried about his business.
He earns anywhere between Rs 6,000 and Rs 10,000 per day during summer. “However, the hanging bridge will not affect our business. In fact, the number of tourists would increase. Only old aged and those who carry luggage would opt for hanging bridge. The young always have the craze to travel by boat,” he hopes.
Another resident who did not wish to be quoted, said that ferry service would not get affected by the bridge as many depend on it.
“People who travel between Bokkapatna- Bengre, Kudroli- Bengre, Sandpit- Bengre or to Tannirubavi depend on boats for the last several decades. Now it is good to build a hanging bridge as it would help people to travel at night too. It would provide more security to residential area,” he opined.
Beach development
Shivaprasad of Bolur Mogavira Sabha said that plans are on the anvil for the development of Tannirubavi beach. ‘Yojaka,’ which won the tender to develop Tannirbavi beach, has plans to develop a ‘Matsyashraya’ (a pond for fishes) and a golf club at GMR Foundation area. Shivaprasad informed that the company has plans to develop the beach from New Mangalore Port Trust guest house to Tannirbavi church.
‘Yojaka’ Managing Director Jagadish Bolur said that the company has already bought speed boats, jet ski, cycles and other machineries worth Rs 60 lakh from Dubai. Ready made cottages for tourists are also in the list.
‘Highlighting culture’
“We have plans to highlight Tulu culture in Tannirbavi beach. Tulunadu is also called as ‘Parashurama Sristi,’ so a big statue of Parashurama will be built on the seashore. Some arrangements will be done to inform tourists about Tulu culture like Bhootharadhane,” Jagadish said.
He also said that people who live near Tannirbhavi beach get sweet water, which is a speciality of the place. So we will build sweet water well in the entrance to the beach in Tulunadu style. Obviously, we will provide Tulu food for tourists. A proposal has been submitted to Deputy Commissioner. In turn, he has called a meeting on June 11 to finalise the plans.
A formal inaugural function will be arranged soon,” he said.