UDUPI: Bus service on Agumbe Ghat route resumed from Saturday as per the order issued by Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis. The landslide that had occurred on the seventh curve of Agumbe Ghat on National Highway (NH 169A), on Thursday morning had disrupted traffic movement on Thursday and Friday. The situation limped back to normalcy after sandbags were kept to prevent further damage to the road on Friday.
Hebri police sub-inspector Mahabala Shetty, Agumbe police sub-inspector Bharathi and other officials visited the spot on Friday along with officials of the National Highways Authority. Minibuses plied on the Agumbe Ghat road on Saturday between Udupi-Shivamogga and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru.
However, heavy vehicles are not allowed to move on the Agumbe Ghat route. On Thursday and Friday, buses plying between Udupi-Shivamogga and Udupi-Chikkamagaluru passed through Balebara Ghat and Kerekatte Ghat.
Udupi-Chikkamagaluru MP Shobha Karandlaje has instructed National Highway authorities to repair the Agumbe Ghat at the earliest and ensure movement of vehicles without any hindrance. In a communiqué, Shobha Karandlaje said she instructed the engineers of the National Highway Authority to ensure that all precautionary measures are taken to prevent such landslide in the future.
Several commuters from Shivamogga who wanted to come to Udupi on Friday suffered severe inconveniences as the Agumbe Ghat was closed for buses. However, ambulances plying to Manipal were allowed after the engineers visited the spot and said light motor vehicles can be allowed to move on the Agumbe Ghat.