Narasipura - Asagodu villages finally get connectivity

The much awaited demands of the people of Narasipura and Asagodu have finally been fulfilled with the completion of a hanging bridge across Thungabhadra river at Donigandi.

The 90 metre-long bridge was constructed with the funds released by the Malnad Area Development Board. It will provide direct connectivity between Narasipura and Asagodu villages. The bridge was scheduled to be inaugurated on March 21 by Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar. However, owing to model code of conduct, the inauguration was withheld.

Without the bridge, the villagers from Narve had to travel for 17-km to reach Asagodu, Ganapathy Katte (A G Katte) via Nagalapura-Hariharapura. With the completion of the bridge, the residents have to travel only two kilometre to reach A G Katte.

The villagers were crossing the river through a boat. Hence, the place has been named as Donigandi. With the civilisation, those who were engaged in manufacture of boats and rowing of boats disappeared. Even coracles which were helping the villagers to cross the river also disappeared four to five years ago.

With the decline in inflow of water to the river during summer, the villagers used to cross the river by walking. The villages turn into an island during monsoon.

Hanging bridge will improve the contacts with the villages of Narve, Brahmanakodu, Kunchooru, Andagaru, Marithotlu, Belagola, B G Katte, Ardikoppa, Mudumudi, Thammadavalli, Vagale, Belegadde, Kunimakki, Untuvalli and A G Katte. Two-wheelers can ply on the hanging bridge. The distance between Koppa and Sringeri via Narve using the bridge will be reduced by 10 km.

A doctor in Mudigere Dr Chavalmane Padmanabha has allowed hanging bridge to pass it inside his plantation. The bridge was designed by Girish Bharadwaj of Sullia.