Malnad Area Development Board chairman RM Manjunath Gowda releases board diary 2026 at Shivamogga on December 31. Photo credit: SK Dinesh
The Malnad Area Development Board (MADB) has sought a loan from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) to start work, including construction of footbridges, in the Malnad region, said MADB Chairman RM Manjunath Gowda.
At a press conference here on December 31, Mr. Gowda said the board had prepared an action plan requiring more than ₹200 crore. The proposed works include flyovers, suspension bridges and bridges to improve connectivity in the Malnad region. NABARD agreed to provide the loan on the condition that the state would stand as a guarantor. “There are many places in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts where rural people face difficulty in reaching their places during the rainy season when many streams are flowing with torrential current. Last year a person died in Hosanagara taluk Shivamogga while crossing a stream. We need about 300 footbridges. If NABARD gives us a loan to build the footbridges,” NABARD chairman said.
Similarly, Mr. Gowda said MADB has proposed to construct a suspension bridge near Rameshwara in Tirthahalli taluk. The suspension bridge will connect the site, which lacks road connections. In addition, the structure will promote tourism in the region. “The committee discussed the proposal at its meeting in Belagavi during the legislative session. The MLAs have given their consent to the proposal. The state government is expected to consider our request to become a guarantor for the loan,” he said.
MADB, which looks after 10 districts spread over 64 constituencies, has a total of 104 members. In the financial year 2025-26, the state government has allocated ₹ 33 crore for MADB activities. Of this, ₹24.95 crore was spent. Besides, the board received special grants of ₹8 crore, which were spent on various works, including the development of a century-old government school in Tirthahalli taluk, Mr. Gowda noted.
On this occasion, he also released the board diary for the year 2026. Board officials were present.
Published – 31 Dec 2025 20:24 IST
