1. Project Overview
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated the Sigandur Bridge, a landmark infrastructure project in Karnataka’s Malnad region.
- Location: Built over the Sharavathi River backwaters in Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district.
- Official Name: Named ‘Sigandur Sri Chowdeshwari Bridge’ after the local deity of the famous Sigandur temple.
- Cost: Constructed at an investment of over ₹470 crore (approx. ₹472.16 crore).
- Length: 2.44 km (total structure) with a width of 16 meters.
2. Engineering Significance
The bridge is recognised as a modern engineering marvel and holds several titles:
- India’s 2nd Longest Inland Cable-Stayed Bridge: Second only to the Sudarshan Setu in Gujarat.
- Karnataka’s First Extradosed Bridge: A specialised “extradosed balanced cantilever” design that combines the main features of both cable-stayed and girder bridges.
- Structural Details: Features 17 pylons (30–55 meters tall) and 604 precast box girders. It includes a 740-meter central cable-stayed span.
3. Historical & Social Impact
The bridge addresses a 60-year-old connectivity crisis caused by the Linganamakki Dam construction in the 1960s.
- Restored Connectivity: Re-establishes a direct road link between Sagara and Marakutika, ending the isolation of dozens of villages.
- End of Ferry Era: Replaces the risky and time-consuming launch/ferry services that were the only way to cross the backwaters.
- Pilgrimage & Tourism: Dramatically reduces travel time to the Sigandur Chowdeshwari Temple and improves access to nearby attractions like Jog Falls.
4. Karnataka’s National Highway (NH) Growth
During the event, Gadkari highlighted the rapid expansion of the road network in the state:
- Network Expansion: NH length in Karnataka increased from 6,707 km (2014) to 9,424 km (2025).
- Future Investment: Projects worth ₹5 lakh crore are planned for completion over the next five years.
- Key Upcoming Corridors:
- Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway: To be completed by early 2026.
- Surat-Chennai Highway: Expected to be ready by 2026, reducing Bengaluru-Chennai travel time significantly.
5. Technical Specifications at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
| Bridge Type | Extradosed Balanced Cantilever (Cable-Stayed) |
| Total Length | 2.44 km (Main bridge) |
| Carriageway | 11 meters wide (with 1.5m footpaths on each side) |
| Foundation | 164 deep piles (1.8m diameter) |
| Highway Link | Part of NH-369E (Secondary route of NH-69) |