Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (MS) 

Beltangady, Nov 3: "I have got the estimate list costing Rs 260 crore for the reconstruction of dilapidated Charmadi Ghat ready and have brought the same to the attention of union minister Nitin Gadkari. After sorting out the technical issues in the project as well as the forest department related matters, the tender will be called for the work," said MP Nalin Kumar Kateel. 

Commuters traversing through Charmadi Ghat and Shiradi Ghat, the two main road routes that connect the coastal districts with the capital of the state, are experiencing nightmare due to the pathetic condition of the roads. Though MP Nalin has promised that a project is ready for the reconstruction of national highway 73, on which the Charmadi Ghat lies, there are several hurdles for its implementation. In addition, the Shiradi Ghat that lies on national highway 75 is also completely damaged and not at all fit for travel. 

None of the departments connected to the reconstruction of Charmadi Ghat have any update on the progress of the proposal that is sent to the union government to put an end to the woes of this route that the commuters are facing since a long time. It is very doubtful that the proposed work will get completed even before the rainy season of 2020 as the main hurdle is the forest area. When the forest department officials are asked about this issue, they are transferring the responsibility on others by saying that the proposed forest area comes under Hassan or Chikkamagaluru. Nobody is sure of what is happening with regards to this matter. 

The district administration has restricted the stretch between 76th to 86th km of Charmadi Ghat road on national highway 73 between Mangaluru-Millapuram that falls under the Chikkamagaluru limits to light vehicles only. The heavy vehicles have to take the long alternative route to reach the twin coastal districts. 

Night driving of buses has become an adventure on the 100 km limit of national highway 75 Shiradi Ghat on Hassan-Gundya-Uppinangady stretch as the road has huge craters. When it rains, the lower part of the vehicles is getting damaged as the water touches the base parts of the vehicles. 

There is an alternative to Charmadi Ghat road in the form of constructing road between Didupe and Samse. This was being raised since many years. However, as this area also falls under the national park limits, the project is not getting the desired momentum. It is possible to build a straight road of eight km stretch at this area. On the other end, though the NHAI did the survey of 16 km stretch between Shishila-Bairapura, that project is not completed. 

If the MPs and ministers of the district and state are not able to push the case of both Charmadi and Shiradi Ghat with union government, there is an imminent danger of the district of Dakshina Kannada getting totally cut off from the capital city of the state. 

Beltangady MLA Harish Poonja says, "There is a need of building a road with modern technology, like the Khandala Ghat which connects Mumbai with Pune. Only when the concrete pillars are installed till the depth of the mud, it is possible to reconstruct the ghat." 

Ramesh H P, assistant executive engineer, national highway sub-division, Mangaluru says, "There is no major damage to the ghat with respect to the limits of Mangaluru. Excessive damage has taken place at the 86th km stretch under Mudigere limits. Reconstruction proposal is sent to the union government. The work will start as soon as the project is approved by the central government."