Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (MS)
Beltangady, Oct 14: Union government has finally approved the development of Charmadi Fhat at a cost of Rs 490 crore.
The ghat needs to be developed 25 km on the Chikkamagaluru side and 11.20 kim on Dakshina Kannada end. The union government has asked to submit DPR for the 11.2 km road from Charmadi Halla to the 11th bend.
In 2019, traffic was prohibited for many months on the ghat section due to flooding. Though development was done in various phases, the ghat is still unfit to handle heavy vehicle transportation. Steep bends at 11 points on the ghat need to be widened.
Preliminary phase survey has already been done. The road will be widened to 10 meter and two-way traffic will be made. Work on the first phase of B C Road-Punjalakatte work has been already completed. Second phase work from Punjalakatte to Charmady is under progress at a cost of Rs 720 crore for the 33 km stretch. Now as a third phase, approval has been given under yearly development plan. So the total stretch of 90 km from Mangaluru to Charmady is expected to be developed.
Maulik A, executive engineer, project department, road transport and highway ministry said, “At present 21 national highway development projects are undertaken throughout the country at a cost of Rs 7745 crore. Road length of 588 km will be developed. This includes Charmady Ghat also. Highway zonal offices have been asked to submit DPR by October 25.”