Put off opening of cable-stayed bridge: CM Siddaramaiah’s letter to Gadkari

Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has shot off a letter to Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, urging the latter to postpone a programme scheduled for Monday at Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district.

The letter, dated July 11, was shared by the CM’s office on Sunday. “The National Highways Authority of India is organising ‘dedication to nation and foundation stone laying ceremony’ programme on July 14, 2025, in Nehru Field, Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district, and my name has also been printed on the draft invitation card. However, I have not been intimated about this programme in advance,” the letter said.

Explaining that he was busy with pre-scheduled programmes at Indi taluk in Vijayapura district, Siddaramaiah felt that it was “more appropriate” for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to consult the state government before scheduling programmes in the state.

“I request you to postpone the programme and provide me with a couple of dates convenient to you, so that I can join you in this significant state-level programme.”

Gadkari is scheduled to inaugurate the cable-stayed bridge, between Ambaragodlu and Kalasavalli, across Sharavathi backwaters in Sagar taluk on Monday. The bridge provides road connectivity to pilgrimage centre of Singadur.

CM not taking part: Jarkiholi

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is not participating in the Sigandur bridge inauguration ceremony as he received the invitation belatedly, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi has said, reports DHNS from Chitradurga. Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, Jarkiholi said that the chief minister had a programme at Indi scheduled previously.

“He has received the communication on bridge inauguration belatedly. Therefore, the chief minister is not attending the programme.” Jarkiholi added that he would take part in the event on behalf of the chief minister.