Karnataka's longest inland bridge nears completion: Sigandur to Sagar travel time cut by 2 hours – see pics

The Sigandur Bridge, also known as the Ambaragodlu-Kalasavalli Bridge, is scheduled to be inaugurated by the end of May or in the first week of June.

Spanning 2.1 km across the Sharavathi River in Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district, it is Karnataka’s largest inland bridge, featuring a 740-meter cable-stayed stretch.

The Rs 456.6 crore project, with Rs 378.3 crore spent on the bridge, was launched in 2018 by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at Holebagilu, following efforts by former CM Yediyurappa and MP BY Raghavendra.

PM Narendra Modi may attend the inauguration virtually, while Gadkari and other dignitaries are expected to be present in Sagar.

Built with a pile foundation, spherical spots, and a balanced cantilever, the bridge has two lanes with footpaths. Of 604 segments (12 feet wide each), only two remain, with completion expected by March-end.

Peer Pasha, a retired NHAI engineer, said the bridge is Karnataka’s first and longest inland extradosed balanced cantilever cable-stayed bridge.

The bridge will reduce travel time from Sagar to Sigandur by two hours, replacing the current barge system, which causes long waits during peak seasons.

Situated on NH-369E, connecting Avinagalli to Marakutika via Holebagilu, Kalasavalli, and Sigandur, it serves as a secondary route of NH-69. The existing barges will be retained for emergencies and handed over to the tourism department.

With the monsoon nearing, pressure is on the Union government and MP BY Raghavendra to launch the project on time. He plans to meet Gadkari in Delhi to finalize the inauguration schedule.

BJP credits Yediyurappa for initiating the project, while Congress claims Kagodu Thimmappa had long envisioned it. Yediyurappa will inspect the bridge next month.