# 136 footbridges built in Karnataka’s Malnad region 2026-08-21T00:16:21+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet A total of 136 footbridges have been constructed across small streams in Shivamogga and Uttara Kannada districts to help people, especially schoolchildren, cross swollen water bodies during the rainy season. Of these, 87 footbridges are in Uttara Kannada district, with work on 49 more underway, while Shivamogga has built 39, with four more under construction. The bridges were built using mitigation funds over the last three years. The initiative follows the 2018 death of 14-year-old Ashika, who was swept away while crossing a stream in Thirthahalli taluk. Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy then ordered the construction of footbridges and allocated Rs 100 crore for the purpose. Each bridge costs about Rs 15 lakh, and officials say over 40% of the required bridges have been completed. However, local leaders say more bridges are needed. Shivamogga deputy commissioner Prabhulinga Kavalikatti said a proposal would be sent to the government if demand arises. Sirsi MLA Bhemanna T Naik said a proposal seeking 100 more footbridges for his constituency has been submitted. Sources in the public works department say over 180 additional bridges are required. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The 136 footbridges address a longstanding infrastructure gap in Malnad, where seasonal streams cut off remote hamlets for months. The trigger was a tragedy: the 2018 death of a schoolgirl prompted a Rs 100 crore state allocation, but only part of that has been spent. With each bridge costing Rs 15 lakh, the 180 more needed would require roughly Rs 27 crore. The demand from two MLAs signals the issue is now a political priority ahead of the next monsoon. Watch for the government's budget reply or a specific fund release order. ## Coverage - deccanherald.com Straight news agency style reporting, no editorial slant, balances official numbers with local demand. This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Araga Jnanendra, Malnad, Prabhulinga Kavalikatti, shivamogga, Uttara Kannada Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/136-footbridges-built-in-karnatakas-malnad-region/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/136-footbridges-built-in-karnatakas-malnad-region/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes. How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/