D K Shivakumar Assures Fast-Track Approval for Kerala-Karnataka Bairakuppe Bridge

Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has assured that the long-pending Bairakuppe bridge project connecting Kerala and Karnataka will be expedited, Kerala Public Works Minister P K Basheer said on Sunday.

According to Basheer, Shivakumar informed him during a meeting in Bengaluru that the proposal would soon be placed before the Karnataka Cabinet and that necessary procedures had already been initiated.

The proposed bridge across the Kabani River will connect Perikkalloor in Kerala's Wayanad district with Bairakuppe in Karnataka's Kodagu district . Although the foundation stone was laid in 1994 and the project received in-principle approval from the Union Ministry of Surface Transport in 2002, it has remained stalled for decades. While Kerala has completed its approach road, construction has been delayed due to the pending approach road on the Karnataka side.

Basheer said the bridge would provide a permanent solution to long-standing connectivity issues and improve access to hospitals, educational institutions and airports in Kannur, Wayanad and Kozhikode for residents of Karnataka's border villages. The project is also expected to boost tourism, agriculture and trade in Kodagu and neighbouring regions.

The bridge would create an alternative route linking Pulpally, Sulthan Bathery, Kalpetta and Kozhikode with Mysuru and Bengaluru, helping travellers bypass night traffic restrictions through the Bandipur forest stretch on NH-766. It is expected to reduce travel distance and significantly cut journey times between Bengaluru and Sulthan Bathery.

Shivakumar also assured that land acquisition and required clearances would be expedited. The project aligns with Karnataka's broader focus on infrastructure development and regional connectivity , aimed at improving interstate transport links, economic integration and access to essential services across border regions.