Permanent solution to Shiradi Ghat road soon, says Minister

Government will soon commence work on the Shiradi ghat stretch of the Mangalore - Bangalore National Highway from March, said PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Sunday, he said that the Central government has released Rs 95 crore for the same. The work on road from Maranahalli to Addahole in Gundya will be taken up. The 47-km stretch of the road will be re-asphalted at an estimated cost of Rs 95.54 crore. The project has received the approval of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. The process of inviting tenders has begun, he said. 

A sum of Rs 49.1 crore will be spent on reconstructing 33.3-km of asphalt road, and Rs 46.43 will be spent on concreting 13.6-km stretch, Minister said. 

All the potholes on the Shiradi Ghat road has been filled at a cost of Rs five crore by the State government. As the Ghat section receives heavy rain, the road gets damaged. The gravel used in asphalting the road breaks into pieces by absorbing water during monsoon. Hence, the government has decided to concrete the stretch of the road, the Minister said. 

When the work on the road commences, the road will be blocked for the movement of vehicles and Charmadi Ghat and Sampaje Ghat road will be used as an alternative. The Charmadi Ghat road will be improved to handle the additional traffic, he added. 

To a query on Nelamangala-BC Road, the minister said that as it will take two years to commence, we are focusing on Shiradi Ghat, which is vital to connect Bangalore with the coastal city.

Sand mining

The Minister said that strict action will be initiated against those indulge in illegal sand mining.

  “Powers have been entrusted to PDO and the DC to act against illegal sand miners. If anyone found extracting sand illegally  on the banks of river during night, then a case will be filed against and will be asked to pay a fine of Rs two lakh,” PWD Minister warned.