Kundapura, September 10, 2025: Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader has instructed the Udupi district administration to utilize the Sigandur barge, previously used for public transport across the Sharavati River, for connectivity between Kodi and Gangolli via the Panchagangavali River. The directive, issued on August 30, 2025, aims to provide immediate relief to locals until the long-proposed bridge between the two coastal towns is constructed, potentially revolutionizing transport and tourism in the region.
The decision follows persistent demands from residents and follows the inauguration of the Sigandur Bridge over the Sharavati River, which has rendered the barge redundant at its original location. The barge, operational for over six decades, facilitated crossings at the Kodlu-Kalasavalli ferry point. With the bridge now in place, relocating it to the 1-km stretch between Kodi and Gangolli—where boat travel currently takes 20 minutes—could significantly ease daily commutes for thousands of residents.
The initiative was highlighted in a Gangolli News report on July 20, 2025, emphasizing how the barge could boost Kundapur’s overall development. During a visit to Kundapur, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Tourism Minister H.K. Patil assured support for the barge service following local requests. Council Chairman Manjunath Bhandari also submitted a formal appeal to the government, prompting Khader’s intervention.
Benefits of the Barge Service
The relocation is expected to offer multiple advantages:
- Emergency Medical Transport: In critical situations, patients from Gangolli can reach Kundapur Hospital in minutes.
- Fresh Seafood Delivery: Gangolli’s fish catch can reach Kundapur markets swiftly, benefiting local traders.
- Tourism Boost: The service will enhance tourism infrastructure, attracting visitors to the coastal route.
- Integration with Ring Road: With Kundapur’s ring road now operational, connectivity from Gangolli to Kundapur will be seamless.
- Business and Cargo: Entrepreneurs can transport goods more efficiently.
- Student Access: Post-PU students can easily commute to Kundapur colleges.
- Time Savings: The barge could reduce travel time to 10-15 minutes, compared to the current 45-minute bus ride via a 16-km detour or over an hour via Hemmadi-Tallur.
The proposed Gangolli-Kundapur bridge, discussed three decades ago, remains stalled. The barge offers a practical interim solution, aligning with government priorities for coastal connectivity.
The directive, referenced as UDC-15024/617/2025-UDC-DC-Magisterial-Udupi DC, was issued by Additional Deputy Commissioner Abid Ismail Gudal on September 8, 2025, to the Executive Engineer, Ports and Fisheries Department, Udupi. It encloses Khader’s note and mandates compliance with regulations, followed by a report to the administration.
Residents and local leaders have welcomed the move, viewing it as a step toward bridging the connectivity gap and fostering economic growth in the coastal belt.
