Government tries myriad ways to repair Shiradi Ghat stretch

The State government on Tuesday admitted that the Shiradi Ghat stretch has been in a dilapidated condition for the last 10 years, even as the government fumbles for solutions to repair the less than 50-kilometre stretch of road.

In a written reply to a question tabled by BJP MLC Ganesh Karnic, Minister of Public Works Mahadevappa said the government has been considering with a new greenfield bypass road with a 7.70-km tunnel, a 3.90-km high pier and a long-arch bridge, and a 6.60 km of concrete motorway, totalling 18.50 kms of new road, to ensure that the problem is completely resolved.

In his reply, Mahadevappa has said that the most problematic stretch of NH-48, which is considered as part of the Shiradi Ghat, is between kilometre 216 and kilometre 263. Heavy annual rainfall, averaging 6,000 to 7,000 millimeters each year, coupled with the movement of heavy vehicles, including gas tankers, has ensured that the stretch remains in a constant state of disrepair despite frequent tarring.

Mahadevappa added the government is in constant touch with officials from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with regard to funding the project.

He has also said that the government has sent a request to the Union Surface Transport ministry for their approval to set up a panel of expert advisors to execute the draft plan, in addition to hiring a consultancy agency with specific terms of references, as the Shirad Ghat stretch is part of the National Highway Authority of India.