India's second-longest cable-stayed Sigandur bridge was inaugurated in Karnataka’s Shivamogga on July 14. According to officials, the bridge constructed across Sharavathi backwaters between Ambaragodlu-Kalasavalli in Sagara taluk of this district has been built at a cost of Rs 472 crore. This bridge is expected to significantly reduce the distance from Sagara to the villages around Sigandur, a place which is known for the Chowdeshwari temple. (Image: X/KarnatakaBJP)
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The 2.2 kilometers long bridge is built over the Sharavathi backwaters and boosts connectivity to Sigandur Temple and the surrounding villages. The residents needed the bridge to cross the backwaters. As they had lost road connectivity following the construction of Linganmakki dam to generate power in the 1960s, they have been demanding the bridge. (Image: X/KarnatakaBJP)
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A political controversy erupted between the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party on July 14 with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday saying neither he nor his ministers were attending the inauguration of Sigandur bridge and foundation stone laying ceremony of infrastructure projects at Sagara taluk in Shivamogga. They said they did not attend the inauguration, which was attended by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, as a mark of protest, as they were not invited. (Image: X/@KarnatakaBJP)
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However, Gadkari, who is the union minister for Road Transport and Highways in a post on 'X' said, an official invitation was duly extended to Siddaramaiah on July 11, inviting him to preside over the programme. In light of any possible scheduling challenges, a subsequent letter was sent on July 12, requesting his virtual presence. (Image: X/@KarnatakaBJP)
"None of us are participating, I was not invited, I spoke to Nitin Gadkari over the phone and told him, he said he will postpone. Then I wrote a letter to him. Probably BJP leaders might have put pressure, without telling me anything, they are doing it. I'm not going. I have a pre-scheduled event at Indi, it was scheduled a month ago, I'm going there," Siddaramaiah said on Monday in response to a question.
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The Central Government continues to uphold established protocols and has consistently appreciated the contributions and cooperation of the Government of Karnataka and the Chief Minister, Gardkari further said,"It remains committed to cooperative federalism and close coordination with all states." The Chief Minister's office on Sunday evening had shared a letter by Siddaramaiah to Gadkari dated July 11, urging him to postpone the event, stating that he was not informed in advance. (Image: X/@KarnatakaBJP)
!["None of us are participating, I was not invited, I spoke to Nitin Gadkari over the phone and told him, he said he will postpone. Then I wrote a letter to him. Probably BJP leaders might have put pressure, without telling me anything, they are doing it. I'm not going. I have a pre-scheduled event at Indi, it was scheduled a month ago, I'm going there," Siddaramaiah said on Monday in response to a question.](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/04/20250417144054_Siddaramaiah.jpg ""None of us are participating, I was not invited, I spoke to Nitin Gadkari over the phone and told him, he said he will postpone. Then I wrote a letter to him. Probably BJP leaders might have put pressure, without telling me anything, they are doing it. I'm not going. I have a pre-scheduled event at Indi, it was scheduled a month ago, I'm going there," Siddaramaiah said on Monday in response to a question.")
![The Central Government continues to uphold established protocols and has consistently appreciated the contributions and cooperation of the Government of Karnataka and the Chief Minister, Gardkari further said,"It remains committed to cooperative federalism and close coordination with all states." The Chief Minister's office on Sunday evening had shared a letter by Siddaramaiah to Gadkari dated July 11, urging him to postpone the event, stating that he was not informed in advance. (Image: X/@KarnatakaBJP)](https://images.moneycontrol.com/static-mcnews/2025/07/20250714120252_gad-3.png "The Central Government continues to uphold established protocols and has consistently appreciated the contributions and cooperation of the Government of Karnataka and the Chief Minister, Gardkari further said,"It remains committed to cooperative federalism and close coordination with all states." The Chief Minister's office on Sunday evening had shared a letter by Siddaramaiah to Gadkari dated July 11, urging him to postpone the event, stating that he was not informed in advance. (Image: X/@KarnatakaBJP)")
