Another heavy vehicle gets stuck on Charmadi Ghat

Chikkamagaluru: Following the recurrence of another heavy vehicle blocking the narrow Charmadi Ghat road, locals and motorists have raised concerns about the efficacy of policing measures at the entry points.

A 16-wheeler lorry carrying cement had broken down at a turn on March 18, causing a gridlock with long traffic jams stretching up to 4 kms. Today (April 4) another 12-wheeler lorry developed snags at the second turn of the Charmadi Ghat road, blocking all lanes.

Locals alleged that police are letting heavy lorries despite official government directives prohibiting heavy vehicle traffic through Charmadi Ghat. Incidents of lorries laden with goods flouting these regulations continue to occur. The ongoing 24-hour police presence at the check post, due to the backdrop of the Lok Sabha elections, has not deterred such incidents. Questions linger over how these heavy vehicles evade detection, especially given the potentially catastrophic consequences of accidents in the hilly terrain.

Moreover, Charmadi Ghat serves as a vital artery for transportation, including for ambulances ferrying patients to Udupi and Mangaluru from Chikkamagaluru. The recurring traffic snarls pose a significant hindrance to emergency medical services, locals said.

Expressing their dissatisfaction with both governmental authorities and law enforcement, locals and motorists have demanded immediate action to curb the passage of heavy vehicles through Charmadi Ghat. The stakes are high, with the safety and accessibility of this critical route hanging in the balance, they alleged.