Rs 6 crore sanctioned for Tannirbhavi skywalk project

MANGALURU: The Tannirbhavi-Sulthan Bathery skywalk project in the Dakshina Kannada District has received a boost with the Public Works Department releasing Rs six Crore for the scheme, official sources said.

Claimed to be the country's largest suspension bridge, the project, mooted in 2006, was initially estimated to cost Rs 12 crore. With the release of funds, the construction was expected to begin soon.

The 410m-long bridge would connect Sulthan Bathery to Tannirbhavi Bengre in Dakshnina Kannada District over the river Gurupura.

The progress of the project had been slow over the years due to lack of funding. The project was first entrusted to the Dakshina Kannada Nirmiti Kendra, but later it was decided that the PWD take up the construction.

Mangaluru south MLA J R Lobo said the project could be completed within two years.

The skywalk bridge was expected to be a major boost to tourism in the region and the families settled in Bengere would be benefitted as the distance between the two centres would be reduced from 16 km to 6 km.

According to the tourism department, the 650 families residing in the area would get better access to the fishing facilities at Tannirbhavi with the implementation of the project.