Mysuru: Youth power came to the fore when a youth group led the revival of a heritage bridge in shambles to give it a facelift. Their herculean effort not only raised many eyebrows but equally shamed the local administration which lacks vision.

Within a day, the youth revived the century old bridge across Gundlu River near Hallaldakeri extension in Nanajanagud traversed by thousands of people daily. The bridge totally neglected by the local administration despite several pleas from the public to repair it, finally found “brothers in arms” giving it a new look in a flash.

Travellers faced danger on this bridge ridden with weeds at several places and sidewalls broken. Many accidents have occurred in the past when drivers on the way were caught unawares by the imminent dangers at night.

Despite several pleas from public to the City Municipal Council members and President to repair the bridge, none had bothered to look into the issue for years. Fed up with their attitude, a youth group took the responsibility on their shoulders to revive the bridge which provides vital link to several villages in the vicinity. They cleared all the weeds which created cracks in the process of growth on the bridge and filled the crevices. To provide better visibility to drivers at night, youth painted the side walls along the entire stretch.

The youth showed their mettle and carried out the entire maintenance works within a day to draw wide appreciation from shell-shocked people.

Their united efforts shamed the local administration which failed to find a way despite impending danger.

This bridge which used to provide link to Chamarajanagar, a prominent district headquarters on Tamilnadu-Karnataka border now connects the villages of Devarasanahalli, Hosur, Uppanahalli, Golur and several nearby villages with thousands traversing daily to reach their destinations.