Kadaba village still hang on to hanging bridge for life

Kadaba village still hang on to hanging bridge for life

Mangalore Today News Network

Kadaba, June 14, 2019: Construction of a bridge across the Bhagya rivulet that flows in Bilinele village of Kadaba taluk is still a dream even afetr a decade. At least 45 families reside at Puthilabailu in Bilinele. Lack of link with the mainland was a major cause of worry for the villagers during monsoon - June to September.

 

As a last resort, the residents have themselves constructed a temporary hanging bridge to cross the rivulet.

Barring three months of peak summer, the residents have to use this delicate bridge, which was built using dry  areca trees, to come to the mainland.

When the water level recedes in March, the villagers use their vehicles to cross the rivulet to their houses. During the rainy season, when the rivulet is in full flow, they park their vehicles in a shed constructed near the water body and walk on the bridge to reach home.

Senior citizens, women and schoolchildren have to balance with additional care on the bridge.

Walking on the delicate and precariously placed hanging bridge is a hazardous feat.  A slight slip will mean falling into the water below. The residents, therefore, hold on to their lives while crossing the bridge.

The residents of Puthilabailu, Argini and Amaibailu have to cross the rivulet to reach Kadaba and Subrahmanya. The residents had been demanding an all-weather bridge for the last 10 years.

Requests ignored :  Memoranda were repeatedly submitted to the MP, local MLA and other elected representatives over the last several years. The promises made by the representatives to the villagers have not been fulfilled so far, the residents complain.

As a desperate move, all the 40 families raised funds over the years to construct the temporary bridge and spent Rs 20,000 on it. Indeed the plight of the people is pitiable.