Bridge Man Of India, Padmasree Girish Bharadwaj Passes Away At 76
Bharadwaj devoted over three decades to connecting isolated rural communities by constructing more than 140 suspension footbridges across the country, many in inaccessible regions
Mangaluru: Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, popularly known as the "Bridge Man of India" for building low-cost hanging bridges in remote parts of the country, passed away at a private hospital in Sullia on Tuesday. He was 76.
Bharadwaj is survived by two sons and a daughter.
A mechanical engineering graduate from PES College of Engineering in Mandya, Bharadwaj built his first hanging footbridge across the Payaswini river at Arambur in Dakshina Kannada in 1989. The project marked the beginning of a career dedicated to improving connectivity in villages separated by rivers and difficult terrain.
While these hanging bridges have linked isolated villages with neighbouring towns and essential services, many of them have also been a tourist attraction.
Over nearly four decades, he designed and built about 140 hanging footbridges across India. While most were constructed in Karnataka followed by Kerala, he has also constructed bridges in Telangana and Odisha.
In recognition of his contribution to rural connectivity, the Union government conferred the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, on him in 2017 for social work. He also received several other honours.
His bridges have provided year-round access to schools, hospitals, markets and workplaces for thousands of people living in remote villages, especially during monsoon.
