The Shiradi Ghat on the Bengaluru-Mangaluru National Highway would be closed for repair work from January 1, 2018, Public Works Department and Inland Water Minister Dr H.C. Mahadevappa said.
Replying to Captain Ganesh Karnik of BJP in the Legislative Council in Belagavi on Tuesday, he said as many as 60 km (from km 190 to 250 and from 263 km to 328 km) of National Highway 48 had been handed over to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Now the repair work from Kempuhole to Addahole (23 km) would be taken up from January 1 and is expected to be completed in April-May. The second phase of Shiradi Ghat improvement work has been entrusted to M/s Ocean Constructions (India) Private Limited, Mangaluru. The cost of the repair work is Rs 74 crore. The financial bid had been forwarded to the Union Ministry of Surface Transport on September 27 and its response is awaited. The work would start once the ministry approves the tender. The minister said till the repair work is completed, vehicles would be allowed through Charmadi Ghat, Bisale Ghat and Madikeri.
Besides, plans are afoot for a six-lane road between Hassan and Bantwal and a tunnel road, the first of its kind in the country.
