Karnataka: Despite road repair, Shiradi Ghat may still be inaccessible

MANGALURU: A sigh of relief among motorists over reopening of National Highway 75 at Shiradi Ghat could well be short-lived as the authorities concerned plan to close the road for vehicular traffic to carryout the second phase of repairs.

Meanwhile, villagers have urged the officials to shut the road only when work on application of concrete commences. This stretch has been closed since January 1 for carrying out repairs over 13 km and would be opened on Saturday, but would be closed again in September, according to PWD minister H.C. Mahadevappa who visited the road a few days ago. Such an announcement has prompted villagers to stage a protest against repeated closure of the road.

“When work on the first phase was started, authorities had shut the road much in advance. The road was shut when initial work like construction and repair of culvert guards, storm water drains and guard walls were being done. This should not be done in the second phase,” Malenadu Janahita Rakshana Vedike president Kishore Shiradi told Deccan Chronicle.

He said “Shiradi Ghat is the main link between coastal Karnataka and the hinterland. Shutting the road creates problem for thousands of people travelling on this road and local villagers. Already, we have suffered for eight months.

In the first phase we have seen the CD works taking several months and the main concreisation of road needs only one or two months. In the second phase let the officials allow vehicles to move on the road while undertaking small work like repairing culverts and storm water drain as vehicle movement will not disrupt these works. Let the road be closed when the actual concrete laying works starts,” he demanded.

He said “We will shortly submit a memorandum to the authorities concerned and elected representatives.”