Mangaluru: The Shiradi Ghat section on the national highway that connects Mangaluru and Bengaluru is likely to be closed for four months for repair work.
Since the road between Maranahalli and Sakleshpur on NH75 has been damaged completely, the district administrations of Dakshina Kannada and Hassan held a meeting with officials of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) recently to plan the repair work.
Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner Dr K V Rajendra said the contractor, who was awarded the contract to take up the work, has requested closure of that section to facilitate the repair work. "However, we have not taken a decision on it. A high-level meeting of public representatives has been planned next week to discuss the issue," he said.
Travel on the Mangaluru - Bengaluru stretch via Shiradi Ghat has been a nightmare for commuters as the road is riddled with craters and potholes, especially between Maranahalli and Sakleshpur. Deputy commissioners of DK and Hassan have sought opinions from experts regarding the work to be executed on the Maranahalli - Sakleshpur stretch.
Closure of Shiradi Ghat will not only affect commuters between Mangaluru and Bengaluru, but also impact revenue for the state government as cargo transportation to and from the coast, especially from the New Mangalore Port, will be affected. Similarly, movement of essential commodities like LPG, petroleum products, cement, fish, vegetables and fruits, flowers to hinterland will also be severely hit.
