Mangaluru: Strengthened at a cost of Rs. 69.9 crore,Shiradi Ghat stretch of National Highway 75,  was opened for vehicles on Sunday. All vehicles including buses can take Shiradi Ghat stretch from Monday onwards. The stretch was closed for vehicles in January 2015.

Public Works Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, in a programme at Gundia in Sakaleshpur on Sunday, declared the road was formally opened by former Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, who was also present, though the programme was organised to make a presentation on the proposed tunnel road project.

He said Mr. Fernandes played a prominent role as Union Minister in getting the works sanctioned. “Oscar Fernandes was aware of the problems faced by those who travel on the Shiradi Ghat stretch. He too had suffered. He sanctioned the project when he had the opportunity to do so,” he said.

Mr. Fernandes said when he took over the ministry, the total length of national highways in Karnataka was less than the national average. “Now the national highway coverage in Karnataka is more than the national average,” he said.

Tunnel project

Heavy rain and landslides of ten caused a problem for travellers on the existing roads. “The permanent solution to the problem will be the tunnel road project, which costs around Rs.10,000 crore. No matter what he amount required, it should be done, otherwise the project cost would escalate if implementation is delayed,” he said.

Better infrastructure facilities for travellers in Shiradi Ghat stretch would improve connectivity between Mangaluru (port city) to Chennai (also a port city) via Bengaluru, he said.

Second phase

The work to improve the remaining stretch of the Shirdi Ghat at a cost of Rs. 85 crore would commence soon after the rainy season. Forest Minister Ramanath Rai, who is also in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district said, “If the road is closed again for the second phase work, people will face problem. The officers should look for ways to take up the work without closing the highway,” he said.

Mangaluru: District in charge minister Ramanath Rai on Monday informed that the newly-concreted 13 km stretch of Shiradi Ghat connecting Mangaluru and Bengaluru will open for motorists from August 10th. 

Addressing a press meet at the Circuit House here, Rai said, "We have already held discussions with the minister for public works and decided to open the Shiradi Ghat on10th of August, after completing all the pending works like installation of crash barriers, signboards and shouldering works along the route."

He also said that he and state minister for public works H C Mahadevappa along with former union minister Oscar Fernandes will visit the Ghat  on  9 th ofAugust  and from very next daymotorists would be allowed on the route.

On Shishila-Byrapura road work, he said, "We have discussed this with the public works department and the forest department will give permission for the work."

When media persons questioned about the delay in arresting the Gopal Gowda who allegedly cut off Dalit Sundara Malekudiya's fingers at Neriya in Beltangady, Rai said, "The department of police has to look into the matter."

He also denied allegations that the government was protecting the accused and said, "No one is protecting anyone. Our government is against suppression of any form. Proper action will be taken against the offender".

Regarding water scarcity in the city from two days, mayor Jacintha Alfred said, "It is due to the damage caused to two main pipelines (at Kannur)."

Former mayor Shashidar Hegde added, "Repair work is going on and in two days the entire city will get water."

Deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim, MUDA chairman Kodijal Ibrahim and others were present.

Mangaluru: MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said on Tuesday that the construction work of Shiradi Ghat will be over by August. And the route would be open for public from August 15th.

He had come to inspect the construction work of the road on Tuesday and spoke to press persons. He said the work got delayed due to heavy rain in the area. Mysore and Chramadi roads are getting more pressure because of the delay in work on Shiradi Ghat.

Due to this pressure road would be damaged. It would be taken care that the Shiradi ghat work gets completed at the earliest.

NH authority Prasanna Kumar informed that out of 13 k.m long road 11 k.m is already completed and he assured that rest 1.60 k.m would be completed very soon.

Tender has been called from an Andhra based company for 2nd stage work of the Ghat. The 85 crore project is waiting for approval from the government.

Sakaleshpur: Various organizations and Save Shiradi road committee staged a protest against the delayed work of Shiradi Ghat road and demanded to complete the construction work at the earliest.

The protestors blocked the national highway near old bus stand for over 2 hours. There was a traffic jam due to the dharna by the protestors. They warned that if the work doesn’t get completed by the end of this month there will be huge protest.

They also demanded the DC’s of the district, authorities of NH and Shiradi committee to come forward and give proper answer about the construction work.

After 2 hours chief engineer Mrutyunjay Swami came and apologizedfor the delay in work and said that they are helpless in front of nature as the rain plays an important role in the delay of the work. He assured that the work would be finished as soon as possible and road would be freed for motorists before 25th July.

The protestors warned of bandh if the route is not made open by August 1.

Mangaluru: District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai inspected the ongoing concreting work of Shiradi ghat road. Speaking to the media persons he said, the road work will be finished by the end of May and the vehicles will be allowed from June.

He gave a brief explanation about the completed work which has been taken up at a cost of Rs. 69.9 crore, covering  distance of 13.26 kilometers from Heggadde in Sakleshpura to Kempu Hole. He said that the work of 69 culverts and four minor bridges have been completed.

He also said that for the second phase of the work, two bidders have applied to take up the work on 13 kilometre stretch of concrete from Kempu Hole to Addahole and 21 kilometre of asphalting from Gulagalale Marnahalli. The technical bid meeting which will be held in New Delhi on this Friday will finalise the tender. The estimated cost of the work is Rs 82.28 crore.

The road will not be closed for the second phase of the work, Rai added.

Mangaluru: states most aspired Shiradi Ghat road project is on its peak towards completion. The road which will connect garden city to port city is made out of concrete.  This 13 k.m road was banned for vehicles since 2nd Jan.

About 68 crores have been sanctioned to get this work complete. Out of 67 mori’s ,53 are near completion and 19 already completed. Sand bed work is speeded up.

A slip farm paving machine costing 8 crores is used by Ocean Constructors which is made using German technology. Excavators, Loaders, Trucks, and Tippers are working as if they are in the war field.  Two teams of engineers and workers will work together to complete the task on time. Arrangements for workers basic necessity have been already done.

Lab is constructed to inspect the quality of work. Any official or a layman can also inspect the construction work any time.