Shiradi Ghat road to open by July 1st: DC

Mangaluru: The Shiradi ghat stretch of national highway 75 will reopen for vehicular traffic before July 1^st informed the Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Sasikanth Senthil of Friday June 15^th.

Addressing the media at the mini Vidhana Soudha at Belthangady, after holding discussions with tahasildar, T C Hadimani, and MLA, Harish Poonja, he said, “Once this road is thrown open, we will submit detailed project for the development of Charmadi Ghat road and submit to the central government.”

The survey of the road has already been completed and report backed by integrated study would be sent for approval of the union government. Heavy vehicles would be allowed on this road from Saturday, he revealed. Teams have been formed to keep vigil on the situation and repairs are being taken on priority at locations with considerable damage. The repair and renovation work will be undertaken in stages as the closure of the road for long periods leads to many problems, he informed.

Alternative routes suggested

MLA, Harish Poonja spoke on the occasion and said that the people could have two more alternative routes to the district if Shishila-Byrapura road and Samse – Elaneeru – Didupe road are improved. He informed the DC that the residents of Elaneeru had to travel 125 kilometres to reach their gram panchayat office.

Vehicle movement normalizes along Charmadi Ghat

The movement of vehicles along Charmadi Ghat has resumed. Sludge still covers the road even after the removal of the mud. As the rain reduced since Friday afternoon, there was no undesirable incident and the situation witnessed overall improvement.

However, damaged edges of the road continued to create problems for the motorists. The consistent force of the flowing rainwater has given rise to pot holes which pose the risk of the vehicle tires getting stuck in mud that was filled in potholes. The risk of falling trees and hillocks suffering landslide looms large if there is heavy rainfall. Four backhoes were pressed into continuous work since Friday afternoon to maintain and improve the road condition on the ghat road.