Expert inspects Reservoir; Rs. 3.5 crore project; DPR to be readied

Kushalnagar: To give a special view of Harangi Dam in Kodagu to thousands of tourists who flock the Dam, a hanging bridge will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore. The Harangi Dam is one of the many famous tourist spots of Kodagu and the hanging bridge proposal has been floated by Madikeri MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan.

Recently, hanging bridge expert Patanjali Bharadwaj surveyed the Dam and inspected the area from where water is released from the Dam and the crest gates to identify the start and end points of the suspension foot bridge.

The MLA had directed Minor Irrigation Department Assistant Executive Engineer Mahendra Kumar to prepare an action plan for the hanging bridge and accordingly, the Cauvery Neeravari Nigama Limited (CNNL) officials had prepared a plan for the hanging bridge about 300 metres away from the Reservoir. 

Patanjali Bharadwaj took information about the maximum height of the Dam, the height of crest gates and the frequency of water release and other data from Mahendra Kumar. After the survey, Patanjali Bharadwaj said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be submitted to the Department shortly. 

For the record, Patanjali Bharadwaj is the son of Padma Shri Girish Bharadwaj, who is an industrious social entrepreneur, popularly known as the ‘Bridge Man.’ He has built more than 100 hanging bridges or suspension footbridges across India. 

In 1975, he established his own “Rational Engineering Industries” at Sullia in Dakshina Kannada which is now called Ayasshilpa. His son Patanjali Bharadwaj runs the show now.