Belthangady: The Charmadi Ghat road has been closed for traffic on two days, June 13 and 14. Charmadi Ghat section of the highway is known for sharp bends and this time around, on account of vehicular movement.
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Charmadi Ghat road is the lifeline between Dakshina Kannada and Chikkamagaluru districts. As the other alternative road, national highway 75, has been closed on Shiradi Ghat stretch for repairs and improvements, vehicles plying between the city and Bengaluru are heavily dependent on Charmadi Ghat road.
Since Monday afternoon, the movement of vehicles at Charmadi Ghat was closed for over 24 hours. The torrential rainfall forced the travellers to remain within their vehicles, amidst rain forest without water, food and medicines. The threat of landslides loomed around them and the in particular faced problem in relieving themselves. Complete lack of mobile network only aggravated the situation.
The district administration undertook operations to clear the road and was showered with appreciation. Many locals including social worker Hasanabba from Charmadi, joined hands with the government departments in clearing the roads and also provided bread, fruits, water etc to stranded passengers.
Up till Monday evening, landslides had occurred in over nine places with huge trees fallen at various locations along the road. Many vehicles including government and private buses were stranded due to this.
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On Monday evening after heavy downpour at Charmadi Ghat near Beltangady and Banakal in Chikkamagaluru district, the situation worsened, throwing normal life out of gear and damaged roads along the hilly tarain. However, by 1.30 am that night, trees and landslides were cleared and vehicles were allowed to move. Vehicular movement was completely stopped after landslides were again experienced in several more places.
MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, Puttur assistant commissioner, H K Krishnamurthy, tahasildar, T C Hadimani, taluk panchayat executive officer, Basavaraj Ayyannavar, and officials of national highways authority of India visited the spot and guided relief operations.
Beltangady MLA, Harish Poonja, said that the road had been upgraded as highway recently, and there is hope of the work on road improvement and widening with other amenities beginning within a year. He informed that the road is being closed for two days to ensure that all issues are addressed and the road users do not have to go through ordeal again. a meeting of taluk level officials is being convened on Wednesday morning to discuss the issue, he said.
Vehicles were allowed to move out of the ghat section on Tuesday evening. Later the traffic on this road has been banned on June 13th and 14th as the work of clearing mud heaps from the road is being undertaken.
