Opening of Shiradi Ghat likely to be delayed further

Continuous rain has been hampering the work on Shiradi Ghat. As a result, the national highway authorities have not come to a decision on opening the road for vehicular movement.

The work on concreting the stretch was completed on June 30. Initially, it was decided to open the road for movement of vehicles after 15 days. Accordingly, the road should have been opened on July 15. However, incessant rain has been hampering work on the shoulders and guard walls.

Concern

In a meeting chaired by Public Works Minister H D Revanna on Monday, the officials from the NH wing of the Public Works Department (PWD) have expressed concern over accidents if vehicles are allowed without the completion of the shoulders.

Speaking to DH, National Highway Chief Engineer Ganesh said that Shiradi Ghat has been receiving continuous rain for the last one week.

“As a result, the work on the shoulders could not be completed. Without the completion of the shoulders, there are all possibilities of vehicles getting struck on the mud abutting the road. The minister in the meeting had decided to fix the date for opening after availing a report from the deputy commissioner,” he explained.

In Phase I, a 13.62-km road was concreted. In Phase II, a 12.38-km stretch from Kempuhole to Addahole has been concreted. The work on the concrete retaining wall will be completed within a week. It will take another 15 days for shoulder work. The gap between the concrete road the shoulder is nearly one feet. If the shoulder is not levelled, then there are possibilities of mishaps. Even if the shoulder is levelled by dumping soil, then the entire stretch might be converted into slush during the rain.

DC visits

Following the direction of the minister, Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil visited the Shiradi Ghat on Monday and made a list of works that are pending. A report will be submitted soon in this regard.

“I personally inspected the stretch. The rain has hampered the work. All were trying to complete the work by July 15. The rain might delay the work,” said Senthil.

Ocean Construction India Pvt Ltd Director Abid Ali said that to fill the shoulder, the soil mixed with gravel is brought from 130-km away from the site.

“The hard soil is brought from Palya in Sakleshpura. When the rain recedes, the soil mixed gravel is dumped on the shoulder and levelled. It will take at least 15 days to complete the work on the shoulder,” he explained.