Subramanya bridge inundates for 13 hours

With Sunday being a holiday, a large number of devotees had planned their visit to Subramanya temple. However, all their plans were dashed, when they reached the bridge leading to the temple in Subramanya.

With the catchment area of Kumaradhara river receiving copious rainfall, the water-level in the river had increased steadily and the bridge was inundated for 13 hours since 10 pm on Saturday. The water receded only at 11 am on Sunday, thus facilitating the movement of vehicles.

Hundreds of devotees from Bangalore, Hassan, Mangalore and Dharmasthala were stranded near the bridge. Some who had come from far off places were struggling to get food and water. Some were depending on nearby forest to attend nature’s call.

The bridge has inundated 16 times in the last two years. When the bridge inundates, the elected representatives visit the spot and make promises. Howeever, later, they forget the promise to upgrade the bridge. The number of visitors visiting the temple has increased in the last 20 years. However, the promise of upgrading the bridge has remained only on paper, said a resident.

A few devotees have been inquiring on the status of the brige over phone to visit the temple for the last two to three days.

Venkatesh H L, who has been selling ‘hannukai’ (offerings) at the temple premises said, “the issue of flooding Kumaradhara bridge becomes a news. With decline in number of devotees visiting the temple, we are incurring loss and are finding it difficult to eke out our living.”

Devanna, a resident of Bangalore said, “We had left Bangalore on Saturday at 5 pm and reached the Kumaradhara bridge at 10.30 pm. However, without any other alternative route, we had to spend the whole night in the vehicle. The government should atleast understand the gravity of the problem and upgrade the bridge.”

On the other hand, the Mangalore - Bangalore highway too was blocked for about three hours as huge trees were uprooted near Mani on Sunday.