Shiradi Ghat: National highway in disrepair

Subrahmanya: Even as the monsoon season is inching in closer by the day, Dakshina Kannada and Hassan district administrations have failed to come forward to provide safety to passengers passing through Shiradi Ghat as the work on repairing the damage incurred by the national highway passing here due to the landslide during the previous monsoon cycle still remains to be completed.

Landslide had occurred at 12 locations along the 26 km long concrete road in Dakshina Kannada district and till Gundya in Hassan district. Massive landslide had taken place beside the stream in this area. Because of this, vehicular movement along the highway was banned for quite a while.

As a temporary measure, sand bags had been installed near the affected areas and the soil was covered with tarpaulin.  Temporary retaining walls have been created on the upper side of the concretized areas. The danger signboards installed there then, still remain. Other than this, no permanent measures have been taken at the dangerous affected areas.

The spots were the landslides had occurred have disrupted the flow of vehicles. If on one side, the hill stands dangerously; on the other side the landslide has made the road narrow. There is no drainage on either sides of the road. Presently, the pressure of vehicular movement here is more and in case there is a rain, danger is facing right in the face.

Closed for 9 months

Shiradi Ghat was closed for the second phase of concretizing on Jan 19^th 2018. Around June 15^th, light vehicles were allowed to traverse through here. During this period, incessant rain led to multiple landslides due to which traffic movement along the route was banned. Later, temporary repairs were undertaken post which vehicular movement was permitted. No permanent repair work has been undertaken here since then. Since the highway remained closed for 9 months due to concretization and landslides, lorry drivers-owners from the surrounding areas including Gundya, Nelyadi, Maranahalli and road side shop keepers incurred heavy losses. Students and job seekers were also adversely affected. They all fear thinking if the situation will repeat during the upcoming monsoon season as well.

Hindrance to development

If Shiradi Ghat road is affected again, then the districts along the coast will bear the brunt. It will adversely affect the financial, social and educational sectors. Therefore the road needs to be permanently developed before the monsoon begins. The government and the representatives of the people need to awaken.

“A special team of experts from Hyderabad will be visiting the landslide affected areas of Shiradi Ghat within a week. Based on the report we will inform the government to take action. We will take precautionary measures before the monsoon commence,” said Subbarao Holla, Assistant Engineer, National Highway Division, Mangaluru

“During every rainy season, landslides occur on the road and the passengers are troubled. There is no safety along the road side. Lack of foresight is the reason for this. There is a need to take action to provide permanent solution,” urged Dr Shrivatsa, Traveller