Shiradi Ghat may not be opened by next week

The possibility of the Shiradi Ghat stretch opening by July 5 for vehicular movement has become remote, although Public Works Department Minister H D Revanna had set the date during his visit to Mangaluru on June 19.

Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil, who inspected the Phase 2 of the work between Kempuhole and Addahole on Friday, told DH that the concreting is almost complete, except for three stretches of about 250 to 300 metres each.

‘Preventing danger’

“However, the work on the shoulders (edges) is pending. Allowing vehicles before completing all the works including shoulders and pavements may pose danger to the vehicle users,” Senthil said and added that, in case of emergency like a block in Charmadi Ghat, vehicles may be allowed for a day or two, till the Charmadi Ghat stretch is reopened.

Stating that he would visit the Shiradi Ghat again once the work on the stretch is complete, the deputy commissioner said that he will also take a decision on opening the stretch only if all the works including on the shoulders are complete, giving no room for any possible mishaps on the stretch.

“The opening of Shiradi ghat may be delayed by a week or two, but it is in the best interest of vehicle users,” he said.

A few stretches are so risky that a slight skid off the road would land the vehicle directly in the river Kempuhole. However, construction of a mini wall – the work on which is in progress- would prevent possible accident.

Incessant rain

As incessant rain has been lashing the Shiradi Ghat region, the engineers are waiting for a rain-free day. “We need at least four to five hours of break from the rain so that the concrete sets, after it is laid,” said an engineer.

The deputy commissioner also gathered information on the German machinery including concrete mixing machines from NH engineers and contractors.

The government had sanctioned Rs 74 crore for Phase 2 of the Shiradi Ghat stretch. The movement of vehicles on the Shiradi Ghat sstretch was banned from January 20, to facilitate the completion of the work. The continuous rain in Shiradi Ghat in the last one month had hampered the work.

The work contract has been entrusted to Ocean Construction India Pvt Ltd.

In Phase 1 – taken up by the same firm – an 11.77-km stretch of the road from Heggadde to Kempuhole was concreted at a cost of Rs 69.90 crore and inaugurated on August 9, 2015 by the then PWD Minister H C Mahadevappa.