Shivamogga: Early monsoon rains have affected the construction of minor and major bridges across Sharavathi River in Hosanagar and Sagar taluks. The authorities did not anticipate that their crucial time at the end of May would be impacted by rainfall.The nearly completed Sigandur Bridge (Ambaragodlu-Kalasavalli) across the Sharavathi River in Sagar taluk awaits inauguration. While civil works are finished, it needs to be asphalted, which the engineers planned to complete before June 1. The early rain and winds hindered progress.A bridge project of National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), valued at Rs 423 crore on the newly added NH stretch (369E) connecting Sagar to Byndoor highway at Marakutika, was scheduled to open in late May or early June.

Following delays, Shivamogga MP BY Raghavendra announced a mid-June inauguration. Current weather conditions might further postpone the event.Speaking to TOI, NH senior engineer Peer Pasha said despite exceeding the stipulated handover time due to various reasons, particularly rain preventing asphalt drying, the authority would ensure completion by the end of June.The NHAI has also undertaken a multi-crore bridge project at Bekkodi village across Sharavathi River's backwater, on the Ranebennur-Byndoor (766C) highway. Rising river levels forced workers to relocate vehicles to the bank.Additionally, the state govt's two major bridge projects on the Sharavathi — one at Hasirumakki Dam near Sigandur and another at Bilsagar in Hosanagara — have been suspended, officials said.