Daijiworld Media Network - Chikkamagaluru (SP)

Chikkamagaluru, Jan 11: Chikkamagaluru district in-charge minister, Abhaychandra Jain, said that the state government had released Rs 50 lac for the repair of the Charmadi Ghat road that is facing tremendous pressure of increased traffic due to diversion of traffic from Shiradi Ghat road.

He was speaking to media persons after conducting a joint inspection of road works being carried on at Charmadi Ghat road along with Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, B Ramanath Rai, on Saturday January 10 night at the forest guest house at Moodigere.

'Within a week, we will ensure that PWD minister visits this stretch of the road. We will convince the need to improve road conditions on Charmadi Ghat section. We will also submit proposal to repair Shishila-Byrapura and Bisile Ghat road too, which will serve as alternative routes for diverting traffic,' he explained. He sought to put the blame squarely on failure of officials for the traffic snarls on Shiradi Ghat routes during initial days of traffic diversion.

Moodigere MLA, B B Ningaiah, said that Shishila-Byrapura road is a necessity. He said that this road needs about Rs 50 crore and 80 acres of forest land, both of which fall within the state government's powers. 'This issue has been raised in the assembly session. Another road that is of immediate need is between Didupe and Samse in Chikkamagaluru district,' he explained.

Dakshina Kannada deputy commissioner, A B Ibrahim, said that steps would be taken to put up road signs at various places, and speed limit on the road would be restricted to 40 km per hour. He said that efforts would be initiated with BSNL to set up cell phone towers on this road to enable communication in case of need. 'Toilet facility and drinking water facility would be provided. Heavy vehicles carrying essential goods like LPG, vegetables etc would be allowed to move on this road,' he promised.

Dakshina Kannada superintendent of police, Dr Sharanappa, also explained about the efforrts being undertaken by his department like settingup of wireless towers, fitting of mirrors at bends, and settingup of flexes informing telephone numbers of policemen to enable people to contact in case of need.

Chikkamagaluru DC, Shekharappa, SP, Dr Sanjeev M Patil, Moodigere tahsildar, Sharadamba, Beltangady tahsildar, Putta Shetty, and several other officials including from KSRTC and other departments were present.