Buses to ply on Shiradi Ghat from Wednesday

Travelling between Mangaluru and Bengaluru which turned into an ordeal when Shiradi Ghat was closed for buses, will end on Wednesday.

The Dakshina Kannada (DK) and Hassan district administrations have decided to allow buses (including multi-axle buses), on Shiradi Ghat, from October 3.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, DK Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said that police and National Highway officials had inspected the stretch.

Of the 12 major landslide-affected areas, eight were found safe for traffic and police and National Highway officials will be deployed at four locations where landslides had occured, to manage the traffic 24/7.

Further, blinkers would be installed as a part of safety measures. To check reckless and rash driving, signboards would be placed at strategic locations throughout the stretch.

Traffic would be monitored for two weeks before taking a call on the entry of goods vehicles, Senthil added. The DC said that once the Shiradi Ghat traffic was streamlined, then Charmadi Ghat works would be taken up.

Comes as a big relief

With the closure of Shiradi Ghat, all multi-axle buses to Bengaluru from Mangaluru were travelling via Kudremukh, covering 438 km. The reopening of Shiradi Ghat comes as big relief, as it is the shortest route connecting Mangaluru to Bengaluru.

Background

It may be recalled that, National Highway-75 was blocked at Shiradi Ghat after massive landslides occurred at multiple locations between Maranahalli and Addahole on August 14. The stretch was closed for repairs (since January). It was opened for light vehicles on July 15 and for heavy vehicles including buses on August 1. After massive landslides of August 14 were cleared, the road was opened for light vehicles including cars and tempo travellers, on September 6.

The alternative road (NH-275) to Bengaluru via Mysuru; and Madikeri via Sampaje, was damaged due to landslides and traffic density on the narrow Charmadi Ghat. 

Study on faultline

DC Senthil said that the district administration had taken the help of an expert to study the faultline on Shiradi Ghat, where landslides might occur in the future. The expert is likely to begin a survey on the stretch within a week.

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