Udupi : Walking over waves is possible now at Malpe beach as a floating bridge, the first in the state, has come up from last Friday. The 100-metre-long and 3. 5 metre-wide bridge can be easily relocated as it is not a permanently attached structure. Udupi MLA K Raghupathi Bhat inaugurated the bridge on Friday. At a time, 100 visitors will be allowed to walk on the bridge and 10 lifeguards will be deputed to provide security to tourists.
Each tourist will be allowed to stay on the bridge for 15 minutes. The floating bridge will attract tourists as it gives the unique feeling of the movement of the sea under their feet. A team from Hanuman Vittoba Bhajan Mandali took up this project and the priority has been given to the security of visitors.
To avoid any tragedies, the government will buy two jet skis and station one each at St Mary’s Island and Malpe beach. They will patrol the area to avoid any tragedies. Sudesh Shetty, leaseholder, Malpe beach, said the floating bridge has been introduced here as they are crowd pullers abroad.
This facility will be kept open for 15 days on a trial basis. Now the monsoon season has just begun. We will restart this project from next year. The total cost of the project is around Rs 75-80 lakh. The pontoon was purchased under partnership of three people. We have deployed 10 life guards and 39 others to maintaining the safety of tourists here. We have plans to introduce more such water sports activities in the days to come in order to attract more tourists, ” MLA Raghupati Bhat said.
“Two personal watercrafts will be purchased by the district administration keeping in mind the safety of tourists. It will be utilised for protection purpose of tourists at the beach and St Mary’s Island,” he said.
Sudesh Shetty, contractor said, ”Tourists are enjoying the walk on the floating bridge.
The bridge has been put up at a cost of Rs 80 lakh and will be open from 9 am to 6 pm, he said. “Those above five years of age can pay Rs 100 and have the experience of the sea for 15 minutes. A boat will always be near the bridge and also 30 lifebuoy rings will be on the bridge,” Sudesh added.
