Image Credit: X account @nitin_gadkari
India’s Second‑Longest Cable Bridge Opens In Shivamogga
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the newly completed Sigandur Bridge on July 14, declaring it the second-longest cable-stayed bridge in India. The bridge, located in Shivamogga district, spans over 2.44 km across the Sharavathi backwaters, linking Ambaragodlu and Kalasavalli on National Highway 369E.
Boost to Local Travel and Tourism
Built at a cost of ₹472 crore, the bridge features two lanes and pedestrian walkways, significantly cutting down travel time for residents and pilgrims. The route, which previously relied on barge crossings, now saves nearly two hours of travel time and offers year-round access to the famous Chowdeshwari Temple in Sigandur.
The bridge is also expected to improve access to tourist sites in Kollur, Hosanagar, and Kodachadri, boosting regional tourism and local trade.
Engineering Highlights
This is Karnataka’s first extradosed cable-stayed bridge, combining elements of cable-stayed and box-girder bridge design. It includes 96 cables supported by four pylons, 604 concrete segments, and deep pile foundations extending up to 30 meters below ground.
During structural testing, the bridge withstood a 100-tonne load with only a 22 mm deflection, well within the permitted safety limits.
Political Absences Noted
While the inauguration was attended by senior BJP leaders including Pralhad Joshi and B.S. Yediyurappa, the Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet ministers were notably absent. Reports suggest the state leadership skipped the event due to short notice and lack of formal coordination with the state government.
Historical and Strategic Significance
The bridge fulfills a decades-old demand that arose after the Linganmakki Dam submerged earlier routes. The new structure restores a direct land link between villages and pilgrimage centres previously cut off by the dam in the 1960s.
