Ballari: The much awaited bridge between the world heritage site of Hampi and Anegundi, often described as the ‘cradle of the Vijayanagar empire’ is now open to traffic, although it has not been officially inaugurated yet.
Built across the Tungabhadra river at a cost of Rs 32 crore, the 487.5-metre long bridge is supported by 14 pillars. But work has not yet begun on building roads on either side of it. While land acquisition for a road on the Bukkasagar side has been completed, it is still underway on the Kadebagilu side.
The bridge, which reduces the distance between Hospet and Gangavathi by around 20 kms, is expected to boost tourism and the economic growth of Ballari and Koppal districts.
Besides providing tourists easy access to Anegundi from Hampi, it could help farmers transport their crops like rice and banana in and around Gangavathi. In its absence, tourists were ferried either in a 'teppa' (coracle), or had to take a circuitous route to reach Anegundi.
Seeing the hurdles people had in crossing the Tungabhadra, it was the Veerappa Moily government that decided to build a modern cable-stayed bridge near the Vijaya Vittala temple.
But the UNESCO objected to its construction in 1999 and placed Hampi in the list of ‘World Heritage Sites in Danger.’ It feared the modern bridge would be an eyesore and result in heavy traffic that would threaten the ancient monuments of Hampi.
However, after much persuasion by the state and Union governments, it withdrew its objection. But while the girders were being laid the bridge collapsed in January 2009, killing eight people.
The people of Hampi and Anegundi believe the new bridge will only have a marginal impact on coracle operators as motor boats are already used to ferry people across the river. They suggest coracle rides should continue to be offered as part of 'heritage tourism' in the area.
