Shiradi ghat closure: Dist admn identifies alternative routes

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim collected information about various alternative routes to Shiradi Ghat from the officials from various departments here on Wednesday, as the Ghat will be closed down for vehicular traffic from December 1, for repair work. He directed the officials to take suitable action to strengthen the alternative routes.

Through Shiradi Ghat, the distance between Mangalore and Hassan is 168 km. However, through Mangalore-B C Road- Charmadi Ghat- Moodigere- Beluru- Hassan road, it will increase to 188 kms. To reach Sakleshpur from Mangalore via B C Road- Charmadi Ghat- Moodigere- Jannapura- Hanabal and Ane Mahal, one has to travel 190 km (22 km in addition). In these two alternative routes, A-grade vehicles like light motor vehicles and commercial vehicles can travel.

Similarly, B-grade vehicles like heavy vehicles and multi-axel vehicles can ply from Mangalore to Hassan through B C Road- Mani- Madikeri- Hunsur- K R Nagar and Holenarasipur to reach Hassan, which is a 309 km stretch (139 km in addition), officials said.

To travel from Mangalore to Bangalore, one has to travel 348 km through Mangalore- Sakleshpur- Hassan- Channrayapatna road. After closing down the Shiradi Ghat, A and B grade vehicles should travel through Mangalore- B C Road- Mani- Puttur- Madikeri- Ilavaala- Srirangapatna- Bangalore, which is a 390 km stretch (42 km in addition).
To travel from Udupi to Bangalore, instead of Udupi- Mangalore-Sakleshpur-Hassan-Bangalore (410 km), vehicles can use Udupi- Agumbe- Theerthahalli- Shimoga (424 km) route. A-grade vehicles can also ply through Udupi- Karkala- Maala Ghat- Kudremukh- Kalasa- Kottigehara- Moodigere- Belur- Hassan route to Bangalore (420 km).

A and B Grade vehicles can travel from Udupi through Kundapur- Siddapur- Baalebaare- Ghat- Masti Katte Nagara- Hosanagara- Aayanur- Shimoga to Bangalore (469 km). “The Shiradi Ghat NH - 48 will be developed from 237 km to 250 km, at a cost of Rs 69.70 crore. To develop the road from 216 km to 237 km with hard surface, Rs 85.28 crore has already been released,” said National Highways Department Executive Engineer Prasanna Kumar. SP S D Sharanappa among others were present.