Gadkari Dedicates Bridge to Sigandur Chowdeshwari, Pledges ₹5 Lakh Crore for Karnataka Highways

Rapid Summary

• Inauguration: Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari inaugurated the Sigandur bridge across Sharavati backwaters in Shivamogga,naming it “Sigandur Chowdeshwari bridge.”
• Background: The project faced challenges as its proposal, including high costs and delays. The bridge aims to alleviate ferry dependence during heavy rains.
• Expansion of NH: Gadkari highlighted the growth of Karnataka’s national highway network from 6,770 km in 2014 to 9,424 km in 2025. Projects worth ₹3 lakh crores are currently underway with ₹5 lakh crore planned within five years.
• Major Nationwide Project: He mentioned progress on the Kashmir-Kanyakumari road connection, with 73% completed and expected conclusion by March 2026.
• Other Works Dedicated:

– Widening/betterment of Bidar-Humnabad stretch (₹345 crore).- Four-lane railway overbridge & bridges in Kalaburagi-Yadgiri stretch (₹65 crore).
– Minor bridges on NH-275 (₹52 crore).
– Restoration of Shiradi Ghat on NH-75 (₹41 crore).
– Two-lane Bhanapur-Gaddanakeri stretch on NH-367 (₹173 crore).

Indian Opinion analysis

The inauguration of the Sigandur Chowdeshwari Bridge signifies a critical step towards addressing infrastructure bottlenecks that adversely affect rural connectivity during adverse weather conditions. By naming it after Sigandur Chowdeshwari, local cultural relevance has been acknowledged alongside technical developments.

Union Minister Gadkari’s commitment to expanding India’s highway infrastructure underlines how large-scale investments aim not onyl at regional advancement but fostering long-term economic growth by reducing travel time nationally-exemplified by projects like Kashmir-Kanyakumari road completion.

While this bold expansion aligns well with governmental priorities for infrastructural modernization, timely execution across diverse terrains remains key. The emphasis placed on these investments must equally translate into operational efficiency and maintenance-a challenge that warrants consistent oversight as projects scale up nationwide.

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