Malpe-Padukere bridge in Udupi inaugurated

A newly built bridge connecting Padukere village in neighbouring Udupi district with Malpe fisheries harbour has been thrown open to the public.
State Fisheries and Youth Services Minister Pramod Madhwaraj inaugurated the bridge yesterday.
Madhwaraj said people of Padukere village would no longer have to depend on traditional boats to cross the Udayavar rivulet between Padukere and Malpe as the bridge would provide faster road connectivity between the two places.
The minister said Rs 13.5 crore had been spent for the construction of the bridge. The width of the bridge was increased from the initial plan of 4.2 metres to 5.25 metres, he said.

The approach road to the bridge was constructed in Padukere at a cost of Rs 50 lakh and on the other side, Rs 60 lakh was spent for the approach road.
He said the virgin beach at Padukere would be developed into a major tourist centre. The Udupi deputy commissioner had been given instructions to bring Padukere beach development under the purview of Malpe Beach Development Committee.