Closure of Shiradi Ghat road affects traders

The closure of the Shiradi Ghat stretch of the National Highway 75 has affected many fruit vendors, hoteliers and businessmen along the Bangaluru-Mangaluru road at Gundya.

The closure of the road has affected the movement of vehicles to Bengaluru, Hassan and Sakleshpur. Barring KSRTC buses to Subrahmanya and Dharmasthala, no other bus reaches Gundya. The road to Subramanya and Dharmasthala and Mangaluru, usual buzzing with vehicles, now wears a deserted look.

As a result, a majority of the small business operators have closed shop till the road opens again for vehicles to ply. Some of them, however, are left with no choice but to keep their establishments open in spite of a huge dip in their earnings. Majority of them are from Shivamogga, Davangere and other far away places.

Kishore Shiradi, Malnad Jana Hitharakshana Vedike convener, said, "The contractors have promised to accelerate the work on the road. The officials should ensure that the road is opened within six to seven months."

Help for contractors

Shiradi Gram Panchayat member Prakash Gundya said, "The hotels and shops have to be closed for six months. We will extend all help for the contractors."

In the meantime, the Gundya villagers have demanded daily bus service between Gundya and Mangaluru. "A large number of students and employed persons from Gundya travel to Nelyadi, Uppinangady, B C Road and Mangaluru. With the closure of the road, there is no bus on the stretch from Sakleshpur side to Mangaluru, which has caused inconvenience," they complained.

All ordinary buses and light vehicles have been diverted to Charmadi Ghat and Mani-Mysuru road.

Businessmen want the road work completed at the earliest and vehicles start plying on it as usual so that their business transactions return to normalcy.