Padma Shri 'Bridge Man' Girish Bharadwaj dies at 76, built 140 low-cost bridges for remote villages
New Delhi: Padma Shri awardee Girish Bharadwaj, the engineer known as the 'Bridge Man of India' for constructing low-cost suspension bridges in remote areas, died at a private hospital in Sullia, Karnataka, early Tuesday. He was 76 and had been suffering from a brief illness.
Bharadwaj's death drew tributes from across Karnataka, with political leaders and residents recalling his work that connected isolated communities and reduced the developmental gap faced by hilly villages.
Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar expressed grief on social media platform X, stating that Bharadwaj built over 140 suspension bridges across the country, linking remote villages and making life easier for countless people. 'I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Padma Shri awardee Dr Girish Bharadwaj, who was widely known as the 'Bridge Man' for his pioneering work in building suspension bridges. With his demise, the state has lost a rare technical visionary and innovator,' Shivakumar wrote.
Shivakumar added that Bharadwaj's contribution earned him deep respect, and that grateful villagers fondly called him the 'Visvesvaraya of Sullia'. He prayed for the departed soul's peace and strength for the family.
A mechanical engineer from Sullia in Karnataka's Dakshina Kannada district, Bharadwaj dedicated over three decades to improving access in some of India's most inaccessible regions. He constructed more than 140 suspension footbridges across Karnataka, Kerala and other states, helping thousands of people reach schools, hospitals and markets throughout the year.
His journey began in 1989 when he built his first suspension bridge across the Payaswini River. The success of that project launched a mission that earned him nationwide recognition as the 'Bridge Man of India'.
In recognition of his contribution to rural connectivity and social service, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on Bharadwaj in 2017. His innovative, low-cost bridge designs remain a lasting legacy of engineering serving some of the country's most underserved communities.
