N R Pura bridge resurfaces after 10 years

The water-level in the Bhadra reservoir has receded to an unprecedented low in the wake of lack of rainfall and Thadasa bridge that was submerged six decades ago has been resurfaced after a gap of 10 years, at Narasimharajapura taluk.

The bridge is five to six kilometres away on Jail road in NR Pura.

Before the construction of Bhadra reservoir, Thadasa was a populated village. As paddy was grown in large quantity in N R Pura, the taluk was called as the rice bowl of the state.

No one has any details on when the bridge was constructed. It is said to be constructed during Visweswaraya’s reign. Thadasa bridge was constructed using indigenous technology using lime, brick, and sand as a result even after submerging for 60 years, the bridge is still strong. The bridge has nine archs. The bridge had road as well as railway track, to facilitate the plying of bus and train. Using the bridge, people could reach Tarikere by travelling 42.81 kms. The tramway was commissioned from Tarikere to Narasimharajapua on May 15, 1915. There is a reference to proposal on railwayline through Thadasa to Sringeri in Visweswaraya’s autobiography. The railway connectivity was suspended in 1949. In fact, even S L Bairappa makes a reference to railwayline on Thadasa bridge in his novel ‘Grihabhanga.’

A pedestrian way was constructed on either side of Thadasa bridge, which were used frequently by the cyclists.

The British had constructed a full-fledged bunglow ‘Kavalapura,’ three kilometres from the bridge inside the thick forest. The bunglow was in good condition 20 years ago. However, over the years, the visitors started damaging it. “We do not know its condition now,” said Mandagatdde Circle resident Nagaraj.

Wells and habitations are still in tact at the submerged site. The presence of a saw mill, rice mill and a burial ground is a proof for the habitations at Thadasa village.
Tree stumps which are still found in the region shows the amount of deforestation carried out for the completion of the project.