Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 4: In view of problems envisaged in ensuring smooth traffic on Charmadi Ghat road subsequent of closure of Shiradi Ghat stretch of national highway 75, movement of heavy vehicles with ten or more wheels stands banned on Charmadi Ghat road in view of the fact that the road is narrow and steep with several hairpin bends.

On Saturday, people were seen arguing with police personnel over getting held up for several hours. A protest was also held for a short stint by disgruntled people who squatted on the road. General opinion of the vehicles diverted to this route is that the government had not taken any precautionary measures to improve the road conditions here before diverting traffic meant to Bengaluru on this road.

Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim, said that efforts to ease the traffic on Charmadi Ghat Road are being made under the leadership of district superintendent of police, Dr S D Sharanappa. 'After the traffic was thrown out of gear from 8 pm to 1 am on Saturday, vehicles were stopped on both ends, and were allowed to move one by one. I am also in contact with the deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Chikmagalur district,' he said.

He however, expressed satisfaction at the traffic conditions on Mani-Mysuru Road where there is no traffic problem. He also said that the district is facing major problem,although Chikmagalur and Hassan district are also involved with the work of streamlining traffic. Therefore, it has been decided to take the help of home guards,' he explained.

District superintendent of police, Dr S D Sharanappa, expressed resentment at the fact that no repair work was undertaken on the road, although the department concerned was informed sufficiently in advance about the need to prepare the road for heavier traffic. He noted that at many places on this road, difference between the road edge and sides happens to be one to one and a half feet, making it impossible for vehicles to swerve to the side to make room for oncoming vehicles. He noted that two ministers, Abhay Chandra Jain, and U T Khadar, were stranded on this road due to the block on Saturday for over three hours.

Sharanappa spent about eight hours on this road and walked for about eight km on Saturday in an effort to control the traffic and understand the problem.

Khadar said he had taken up with the PWD, which was found lagging in the matter of levelling the road and conducting other repair works, to address the problems. He said he had also instructed Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner suitably.

There is an immediate need for the concerned to arrange for providing water, food, medical, and toilet facilities to the stranded passengers on the ghat road.