MANGALURU:Good news for people commuting between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. Shiradi Ghat that connects the two major cities which was shut for traffic five months ago to carry out the road concrete works, will be opened by July 5.PWD minister H D Revanna disclosed this to reporters following an inspection of the developmental works of the ghat on Tuesday. Closure of the 13-km stretch of the ghat had put a lot of pressure on the alternate roads that passes through Charmadi Ghat and Madikeri road besides inconveniencing thousands of people everyday as they had to take a detour to reach their destination.
Things turned worse a week ago when Charmadi Ghat received heavy downpour leading to massive landslides at nine curves, making the stretch out of bounds for two days. This led to serious connectivity issues between the coast and Bengaluru and various other places. Revanna said though Shiradi Ghat works were expected to be completed a few weeks ago, the heavy rains played spoilsport.
The minister said soon they will submit a `250 crore proposal to the Centre to develop Charmadi Ghat. The stretch was hit badly by the recent rains and landslides promoting the authorities to take up some temporary works in order to make it motorable.
Puttur MLA Sanjeev Mathandoor explaining the difficulties caused to people because of Shiradi Ghat road closure, said the road works in ghat section should be carried out before the onset of monsoon.
Revanna said cranes and excavators have been kept as standby at both ends of the ghat in order to clear any blockades during the rainy season. He directed the PWD to take up the pothole filling works in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts on priority and finish it in a month’s time. He put the damages to roads in DK and Udupi districts to Rs 6 crore and Rs 1.17 crore respectively.
He asked the PWD officials to carry out the stormwater drains works from BC Road to Sullia without causing much disturbance to motorists and also clear the wild growth on both sides of highway in co-ordination with the forest department.
DK Deputy Commissioner S Sasikanth Senthil, Udupi Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis, City Police Commissioner T R Suresh and others were present during the meeting.