Karnataka   

Coracle operators near Hampi will soon have no work

Swan song? Once the work on the cable stayed bridge (above) is completed, country boats such as this one will be superfluous in Anegundi taluk near Hampi.

HAMPI: Tourists visiting the world famous Hampi will soon be able to use the cable stayed bridge across the Tungabhadra river linking Hampi with Anegundi. Once it is operational, coracle rides may be a thing of the past and the coracle operators will be out of jobs.

Following the demand of the people of Anegundi in Gangavati taluk the Veerappa Moily government decided to construct the bridge linking the two ancient sites. When the work on the bridge was nearing completion in 1999, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) raised objections to it on the grounds that the location was not right for it and that the modern design would be an ‘eyesore’ to the World Heritage site. The UNESCO had also said that the completion of the bridge would result in the movement of heavy vehicular traffic, which could be detrimental to the ancient monuments at Hampi.

However, after a lot of persuasion from the public, UNESCO gave the green signal for the project as a temporary solution but imposed several conditions to be followed. Work on the bridge commenced in full swing.

As of now, crossing the river on a coracle is what people prefer as it takes less than 10 minutes, while it would take over 45 minutes to reach Anegundi from Hampi by road. Even two-wheelers prefer to cross the river to save distance and time.

The coracle operators are concerned about their future once the bridge is opened for traffic. Though they are happy that the bridge would boost the economy of Anegundi and Gangavati taluk, they also realise that it would snatch away their only source of livelihood. There are nine families who have traditionally been in the coracle trade at Anegundi. Even the youngsters in the family have mastered the art of operating the country boats. The services of coracle operators are often used by the authorities to save the lives of those who fall into the river.

Vannur Swamy, a coracle operator, said, “For generations we have been ferrying people from one end of the river to the other. We do not know any other vocation and we will be jobless when the bridge is ready. We are worried about our future and hope that the Government will come to our rescue.”

Mr. Swamy, who is also the secretary of the ‘Harigolu Haisuvara Ambigara Sangha’ said that they had been meeting Ministers and elected representatives in the hope that they would be offered alternate sources of employment. “We do not know any other work except to operate boats,” he said.

The people of Anegundi opined that the Government, through the Tourism Department, could introduce coracle rides for tourists coming to Hampi and Anegundi, besides appointing them as life-savers. This would not only allow the families to earn a livelihood but the coracle operators and their womenfolk could also form self-help groups and avail the benefits of various Government schemes, including dairy and sheep rearing.

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