Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Aug 21: At a time when the highway to Mysuru via Sampaje has been affected by huge landslides, the condition of travel on Shiradi Ghat stretch too has worsened over a period. As landslides have continued to happen, endangering the road and those using it, the sub-divisional officer at Sakleshpur has suspended traffic on the road for an indefinite period. In all likelihood, Shiradi ghat road will be out of bounds till the end of this rainy season.
Landslides have happened at 33 spots all along Shiradi Ghat road. Debris clearance operations are going on a war footing. But in a new twist to the problem, earth under the highway too is caving in at several places, endangering the road itself. This development has worried those who frequently travel between the city and Bengaluru.
It has been over a week since vehicles were barred from using Shiradi Ghat road. The impact of the landslides has been more in Sakleshpur area of the ghat section, it is learnt.
The delegation of Malnad Hitharakshana Vedike, which undertook road verification programme from Gundya onward on Monday, found that landslides have happened on the right side of the road in six places from near the district border to Maranahalli. In three places, the landslide has happened from the edge of the road, and mud from under the road has slipped out, causing hollow void below the road. If the landslide continues, the concrete road might cave in, it is being feared. Some say that this situation has arisen as protective wall was built without properly checking the stability of the ground supporting it.
At several places, huge mounds of earth and boulders have spread on the highway on Shiradi Ghat stretch. Several machines have been engaged in clearing operation, but huge trees and boulders which are precariously poised above the road give jitters as they can slip down anytime.
Convener of the Vedike, Kishore Shiradi, and Prakash Gundya, warn that Dakshina Kannada district will lose its contact with other districts if Charmadi Ghat road develops problems, as the other two main connecting roads are now shut. They have suggested to station a permanent team equipped with all necessary machinery if landslides happen, build protective fencing wherever landslides have happened, enforce one-way traffic on such stretches and allow vehicles to move on Shiradi stretch of the highway.