Bridge Cum-Barrage on River Nethravathi to Be Constructed Soon: Here Are the Benefits

December 3: A bridge-cum-barrage across River Nethravathi be constructed to connect Harekala and Adyar. The tender process for construction of a bridge-cum-barrage has been completed.
The construction is being taken up to supply water to Ullal and nearby areas as well as provide direct connectivity between Harekala and Adyar.
The project, at an estimated cost of Rs 174 crore, will provide a 520-metre long and 8.8-metre high barrage. A 10-metre wide bridge will be constructed to connect Harekala and Adyar.
The estimated project cost was approved in March 2019. After receiving the approval, the Minor Irrigation officials. The work is being taken up under Pashchima Vahini project and is likely to be started in the second week of December. Officials of the Minor Irrigation department said that the project should be completed within two years.
The barrage will have 52 gates and a capacity to store 0.66 TMC feet water. The barrage will be constructed downstream of Thumbe vented dam. At present, water can be stored up to a height of 8.5 metre. Depending on the requirement of Ullal and surrounding areas, the height of the barrage can be increased in future.
Once the barrage cum bridge is constructed, the residents of Harekala can reach Adyar, situated seven kilometres away from Pumpwell on NH 75, within a short span of time. At present, they have to traverse 35 km via Konaje, Deralakatte, Thokkottu and Pumpwell to reach Mangalore. The bridge will benefit residents of around 20 villages in around Harekala.