Cable car to link Cauvery falls

A proposal for a cable car link between the two falls on the Cauvery — Gaganachukki and Bharachukki — at Sivasamudram has been proposed by the local legislator and minister for women and child welfare, P M Narendraswamy. In a blueprint submitted to the government, he suggested developing Sivasamudram and places around it like Bheemeswari, Doddamakali, Belakawadi and Basavana Betta under a private-public participation (PPP) as they had the potential to attract tourists and also create jobs for locals.

Besides the cable car, which would be the first of its kind in the country, his proposals include developing a children’s park, river rafting and other water sports. Some 2-3 parties had responded favourably to the plan PPP, he told pressmen at Sivasamudram in Mandya district on Tuesday.

The government will invite President Pratibha Patil for the oft-postponed centenary celebrations of the Sir K Seshadri Iyer hydroelectric generating station at Sivasamudram, which is still functional. He held discussions with the Union minister for power who had suggested inviting the President as the epochal project was the first of its kind to go commercial in 1902 under the then erstwhile rulers of Mysore. It was conceived and set up by then Dewan of Mysore, Seshadri Iyer, after whom it is named.

The longest transmission line at the highest voltage in the world was built to meet the power requirements of the famous Kolar God Mines. It also lit up Bangalore and Mysore cities and heralded industrialisation of the then princely state.

The celebrations would be held after getting a convenient date from the President.

Located about 120 kms from Bangalore, Sivasamudram island is surrounded by several small islands amidst the river Cauvery. The river cascades from a height of 106 metres creating two waterfalls, one on the western side and the other on the eastern side. The modernised 42-Mw hydel power station is located at the foot of Gaganachukki, 67 kms from Mysore.

Both Bheemeswari and Belakawadi island are ideal for boating and water sports. Doddamakali could be turned into a jungle resort, he said, adding Sivasamudram itself lacked adequate infrastructure for people coming to view the drop of the Cauvery waters from about 320 feet during the monsoons.

Narendraswamy said the second ‘Gaganachukki Jalapathothsava’ (waterfall celebrations) will be held on August 8 and 9 at Sivasamudram at a cost of Rs 20 lakh.

Programmes comprises of a colourful laser show and cultural events. Around 75,000 people were expected each day. The 2007 celebrations had drawn about 50,000 people. While roads are being improved, special buses will be operated from different places and infrastructural facilities will be created for the visiting tourists.