Udupi: Bavalikudru (The Island of the Bats) is no Treasure islands of Robert Lous Stevenson of UK. It is made up in the middle of Sita River at Neelavara in Udupi district. It has no ropeway or over bridge, but two boats take passengers everyday from the river island to the mainland. It is a challenge to live here and in early days, there were fishermen living here, now about 30 Christian families have their homes in the cool shades of Coconut and Arecanut palm trees, with grass bushes around.
The islanders grew vegetables, paddy and sugarcane in early days which have long disappeared now. They want a road or bridge to come and go at Bavalikudru. The bats flew away when trees were cut to build houses some years ago. In rainy season, it is hell let loose, with wet heads and fierce winds in 2 rocking boats that ferry people across. Daily livelihood is a struggle. Some wells provide drinking water to the lonely people.
Election candidates come begging for votes but do not mitigate the problems faced by local voters.
There is frequent breakdown of power here due to winds and falling trees.
T5he Udupi ZP engineers have prepared a blue print for a bridge to be laid between the Bats Island and mainland at a cost of Rs.33lacs. Rajya Sabha MP and eminent Congress leader Oscar Fenandes has released Rs15 lakhs from his Union funds, while MLA Rghupathi Bhat is raising the balance (18lacs) requirements from Natural Calamity Fund. DC P.Hemalatha, IAS, has to order for immediate construction of the project, it is stated.
The new generations of Bavalikudru are migrating to other regions for gainful employment. A bridge can help to bring them back and also facilitate the elders to move across in needy times.