Date:02/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/02/stories/2007050215290500.htm

Karnataka - Mangalore

Island residents want a bridge

Staff Correspondent

It will link Pavoor Uliya with Mangalore

MANGALORE: Residents of Pavoor Uliya, an island near Farangipet, have demanded that a bridge be built to link their island with the city.

Forty-five families reside in this island spread over 20 acres of land.

Speaking on behalf of the residents on Monday, Evlyn Beniz, director, Family Service Agency, Roshni Nilaya, said that a temporary wooden bridge from the island towards the highway would be built during summer as the water level in the Netravathi would be low. But the bridge would be dismantled during monsoon. Nearly Rs. 20,000 would be spent on the bridge every year.

Material used in building the bridge could not be reused owing to its exposure to salt water.

Mr. Beniz said access was a major problem during monsoon. Boats were the only mode of transport to the island and there would be no boat after 7 p.m. Apart from the problems in reaching schools and offices on time, non-availability of transport to reach the mainland was a major concern during emergencies. A permanent bridge from the island towards National Highway 48 would play a major role in the development of Pavoor Uliya, he added.

Last year, the zilla panchayat started work on a bridge, but did not complete it. Nearly Rs. 2 lakh had been spent, according to Prashanth of the island.