Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jun 10: A sum of Rs 15 cr has been sanctioned from the Central Road Fund (CRF) for urgent repair works at Agumbe Ghat, while roads across the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru Lok Sabha constituency have received Rs 119 cr under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for development and maintenance works, MP Kota Srinivas Poojary has said.
Speaking after inspecting Agumbe Ghat along with officials from the Forest Department and National Highways Authority, the MP said immediate measures have been planned to improve safety and traffic movement along the ghat section. He said instructions have been issued to construct protective barricades along nearly 1,000 metres of vulnerable stretches at various bends. Repair works to address road damage and slope failures will be taken up immediately after the monsoon season.
The inspection was conducted following public complaints regarding frequent traffic congestion and erosion at several bends along the ghat road.
Officials informed the MP that traffic volume on Agumbe Ghat has increased significantly due to restrictions on vehicular movement through the adjacent Hulikal Ghat connecting Udupi and Shivamogga districts. They also pointed out that despite restrictions, the movement of heavy vehicles carrying construction materials has raised concerns over possible landslides and road instability.
As a long-term solution to the recurring problems at Agumbe Ghat, a proposal earlier put forward by Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra for a tunnel route and widening of the existing road into a two-lane carriageway is being pursued. Tenders have already been invited for preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR), and Kota directed National Highways officials to complete the tender process within two weeks based on the feasibility report.
The MP also urged highway authorities to advise district administrations on regulating the movement of heavy vehicles during the monsoon to minimise the risk of road collapse. He further instructed officials to submit proposals through the PARIVESH portal to obtain forest clearance for road widening beyond the eighth bend of the ghat section.
Among those present during the inspection were Agumbe Wildlife Range Forest Officer Rupesh Chouhan, Hebri Forest Officer Chidanandappa of Someshwara Wildlife Range, National Highways Executive Engineer Naveen and Assistant Engineer Shashidhar.
Rs 119 cr sanctioned for constituency roads
In a separate announcement, Kota said a total of Rs 119 cr has been sanctioned for repair and development of 18 Public Works Department roads in the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru parliamentary constituency.
The sanctioned projects include Rs 6 cr for the Kundapur-Byndoor-Virajpet road, Rs 6 cr for the Udupi-Hiriadka-Karkala-Subrahmanya road, Rs 5 cr for development of the Brahmavar-Jannadi road, Rs 10 cr for Barkur road development, Rs 3 cr for the Shirur-Kokkarne-Santekatte road and Rs 1.60 cr for the old MBC road in Brahmavar taluk.
Other sanctioned projects include Rs 1.40 cr for the Aroor-Munninjaddu-Kokkarne road, Rs 2 cr for the Thirthahalli-Kundapur road, Rs 1 cr for the Muniyalu-Kabbinale road in Hebri taluk, Rs 1 cr each for the Atrado-Mangaluru road and Naravi-Mangaluru road in Karkala taluk, and Rs 1 cr for the Kuntady-Halekatte-Kemmannu MDR road.
In Chikkamagaluru district, Rs 50 cr has been sanctioned for the Balehonnur-Sringeri road, Rs 6 cr for the Koppa-Jayapura-Sringeri road, Rs 6 cr for the Begur Gate-Arehalli-Macheri road in Kadur taluk, Rs 6 cr for the Seethalayyanagiri-Mullayyanagiri road in Chikkamagaluru taluk, Rs 6 cr for the Balur Hand Post-Kalasa road on State Highway 106 in Mudigere taluk and Rs 6 cr for development of the Bagalkote-Biligiriranganabetta road on State Highway 57 in Tarikere taluk.
Kota's office said the people of the constituency are grateful to union minister for road transport and highways, Nitin Gadkari, for sanctioning funds for the projects, which are expected to improve road connectivity and infrastructure across the region.