Mangaluru (Karnataka), July 7 (UNI) — Girish Bharadwaj, an esteemed engineer honored with the Padma Shri, passed away on Tuesday at a private hospital in Sullia, located in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district. He was 76 years old and succumbed to health issues related to aging.
Bharadwaj earned the title of the “Bridge Man of India” by creating more than 140 budget-friendly suspension footbridges across states including Karnataka, Kerala, Telangana, and Odisha. His bridges provided safe, reliable access for countless residents in isolated villages affected by rivers and streams.
His innovative engineering approaches significantly shortened travel times for rural inhabitants, facilitating uninterrupted access to essential services such as schools, hospitals, markets, and government offices.
A trained mechanical engineer, Bharadwaj’s venture into bridge construction began in 1989 when he responded to requests from villagers in Aramburu, Sullia, who faced difficulties due to a damaged boat service across the Payaswini river.
Despite lacking prior experience in suspension bridge design, he dedicated himself to studying relevant technical materials, consulting experienced engineers, and collaborating with local residents to construct a cost-effective suspension bridge for under Rs two lakh.
The successful completion of the Aramburu bridge marked a pivotal moment in Bharadwaj’s career, attracting the attention of the Karnataka government, which subsequently assigned him similar projects in other remote locations.
Over the next thirty years, he became a trailblazer in the realm of low-cost rural infrastructure, adapting global bridge technologies to suit Indian needs and demonstrating that high-quality public infrastructure could be achieved at a fraction of traditional costs.
His bridges served as vital lifelines for numerous families, particularly in areas prone to flooding and hilly terrains, where seasonal rivers could isolate villages for extended periods.
These structures played a crucial role in connecting children to educational institutions, allowing farmers to transport their goods to markets, and providing quicker access to healthcare services, thus enhancing the living standards in underserved areas.
Bharadwaj was not only renowned for his engineering creativity but also for his deep commitment to serving the community. He was known to oversee construction projects personally, often remaining on-site until their completion.
In many community-funded initiatives, he waived his professional fees and sometimes even used his own funds to ensure that projects progressed without delays.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to rural development and affordable engineering, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 2017. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged his groundbreaking “Sethu Bandhu” program in a letter, praising it as an inspiring model of engineering dedicated to societal service.
Apart from his bridge-building efforts, Bharadwaj managed Rational Engineering Works in Sullia and actively mentored aspiring engineers focused on low-cost infrastructure solutions. His son, Pathanjali Bharadwaj, continues the family’s legacy in bridge construction, upholding the vision that brought Bharadwaj national recognition.
He is survived by two sons, including Pathanjali, and a daughter.
Many leaders, engineers, and social activists have paid homage to Bharadwaj, reflecting on his lifelong commitment to linking isolated communities through practical, affordable, and sustainable engineering practices.
With his passing, India mourns not only a distinguished engineer but also a visionary whose contributions have transformed rural living. The numerous bridges he constructed across the nation stand as lasting symbols of ingenuity, compassion, and inclusive development, ensuring that his legacy will endure for future generations.
